Duke Special - Oh Pioneer
Artist: Duke Special
Album: Oh Pioneer
OUT NOW
Rating: 4.5/5
Duke Special has been released music since 2005 but his new album Oh Pioneer is perhaps the most mainstream record yet - not to mention it is a great record.
What is so great about this artist is the imagery that he can conjure through his lyrics, and this is something that he displays right from the off.
Stargazers Of The World Unite (A Love Song For Astronomers) is the opening track on the album and it just oozes with uniqueness and originality.
He follows this up with Little Black Fish and Wilson's gentle vocals just pull you into the track as he paints a picture with his words.
The first standout track on the album is Punch Of A Friend, a track that has quite a nostalgic feel to it.
The simple vocals and the great instrumentation really does give the track a dreamy feel and it's a really laid back number.
The vocal really does take centre stage but Duke has picked instruments and arrangements that support his voice brilliantly - it really is one of my favourite tracks on the album.
Snakes In The Grass couldn't be more different and there is almost a theatrical feel to the track that is incredibly uplifting.
Condition is another truly outstanding track on this album as Duke strips everything back to leave just his voice and a mainly a piano.
The minimalism on this track works so well as the richness of Duke's voice is enough to really hold your attention as he sings about being human.
This is such a beautiful track and the sparseness of just helps it pack a further punch.
There really isn't a weak track on this great album as Duke Special shows that he really is a pioneer when it comes to music.
His song-writing is just so vivid and each word has been crafted with care and delivered with real emotion and heart.
Oh Pioneer is the best album from Duke Special so far and I defy you to find something not to like about it.
Duke Special - Oh Pioneer is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw