Album review: Morgan Harper-Jones – Up To The Glass

MORGAN HARPER-JONES – Up To The Glass (Play It Again Sam) - Folking.com

A Journey of Introspection and Melodic Brilliance: Morgan Harper-Jones’ “Up To The Glass”

There’s a delicate balance between introspective lyricism and infectious melodies. England’s Morgan Harper-Jones navigates this tightrope with the grace of a seasoned tightrope artist on her debut album, “Up To The Glass.”

From the opening notes of “Swimming Upstream,” Harper-Jones sets the tone with Suzanne Vega-esque charm, inviting listeners into a world where vulnerability is not only accepted but celebrated. The album’s lead single, “Boombox,” is a jubilant ode to unrequited love, capturing the bittersweet essence of youthful longing with Taylor Swiftian flair.

But it’s not all rose-tinted nostalgia on “Up To The Glass.” Tracks like “Main Character” and “Alone” delve into the darker corners of Harper-Jones’ psyche, confronting regrets and heartbreak with raw honesty. Yet, even in moments of melancholy, there’s a sense of catharsis that permeates the music, reminding us that it’s okay to embrace our vulnerabilities.

Co-writing with Iain Archer, Harper-Jones masterfully captures the essence of each track, from the gurgling electronics of “Alone” to the reverberating percussive notes of “Easy.” The result is an album that feels both timeless and contemporary, with each track offering something fresh and unexpected.

Lyrically, Harper-Jones is a storyteller par excellence, weaving tales of love, loss, and self-discovery with poetic finesse. Songs like “Lose A Tooth” and “Joshua” are imbued with a sense of nostalgia and longing, while tracks like “Little Avalanches” and “2D” tackle the complexities of modern relationships with wit and insight.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of “Up To The Glass” is Harper-Jones’ ability to find beauty in the mundane. Whether she’s singing about late-night confessions or the simple act of holding hands, there’s a sense of authenticity to her lyrics that is both refreshing and relatable.

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