Artist – Thom Morecroft
Album – Waiting For Leo
Released – 15th September 2023
Reviewer – Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
Waiting For Leo is the long-awaited second album from Shropshire born singer-songwriter Thom Morecroft. Released on 9X9 records, the set was recorded at his home during lockdown and is a stripped down affair compared to his previous album The Feng Shui And The Sushi (2019). Thom has become a family man and his personal journey is reflected in many of the tracks on the album.
The title itself is named after his new born son Leo. Thom is quoted as saying, “The album is called ‘Waiting for Leo’ because the songs were written and recorded during the period before my partner and I discovered we were expecting our son.”
Stylistically the sound borrows from the 70s singer-songwriters and is fused with the C86 scene of the mid-eighties. Opening the set with new single Like A Dog, this driving blues number quickly leads into The Last Day You Left Home, a short plaintive ballad that finds Thom in a subdued and reflective mood. From Wildbahn onwards the artist settles into a groove, with songs that are often engaging and hypnotic. Highlights include Somebody Hurt Me, a relaxed lament with shades of R.E.M and John Martyn. The delicate acoustic guitar stylings of songs like Someday and The World Goes Round are also keepers.
If Thom was going to promote another single from the set, then the hook-laden You’ve Got To Really Like It would be a strong contender.
The songs are kept short, cohesive and benefit from having sparse arrangements, which given the introspective nature of the material is appropriate. On the surface Thom sounds content with his voice more laid back than usual, which compliments the low key feel of the album.
Waiting For Leo finds Thom Morecroft on top form and is well worth investigating.
Review by Stuart Todd © 2023 Liverpool Acoustic – all rights reserved
Thom will be launching the album at Future Yard in Birkenhead on Friday 15th September with support from Katie Nicholas (Buy Tickets). You can pre-order the album from Bandcamp