Artist – Only Child
Single – Straight Lines
Released – 19th March 2021
Reviewer – Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
Straight Lines is the first taster from the fourth album by Only Child. Fronted by Alan O’Hare, Only Child as a live band have been put on ice due to lockdown. His inspired covers EP Sound from last year was well received but served as a stop gap release.
The new single Straight Lines has been described by Alan as his tribute to all the women and men that came before us. He namechecks Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, Shane McGowan and Gil Scott Heron in a passionate statement of intent on the troubadours that came before. The key line “Singing songs of freedom” in the final chorus is an apt one in uncertain times.
Recorded at Crosstown Studios, the track features violin from Amy Chalmers (Two Black Sheep); with additional instrumentation from musician and producer Jon Lawton. The horns add a further dark quality to the full dynamic sound.
Straight Lines by Only Child is a bold step forward that will take a couple of listens to fully appreciate.
Stuart Todd
Review © 2021 Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
You can pre-order the album by Only Child on Bandcamp