Album Review: Childhood Induce A “Universal High”
I feel like everyday musicians are going back in time to sonically forward their music.Childhood is no different.Combining soul with psychedelic-rock, this London feels like they belong in the record store between Deep Purple and Shuggie Otis. Hence, their aptly titled Universal High.
Childhood – Californian Light
There is a funkadelic haze that brews over Universal High such as in tracks, “Too Old For My Tears” and “Nothing Ever Seems Right”. What I love about their retro vibe is that it plays into the quiet exhaustion of feeling like your present life is getting old for you. “Californian Light”, “Cameo”, and “Don’t Have Me Back” have enough bass and electric guitar to make you want to grapevine, but also, spiritually, contain themes about feeling your like is stuck in a vine, or, at least, is seeking transition from the people and situations that once held you tight. Lead singer Ben Romans Hopcraft has a voice that feels caught in melodic breathlessness. He can go for higher notes or dwindle into soft, light pitches like, a man trying to figure out how to renew excitement into his dreams and love bonds. Thus, the hypnotic contrast of Universal High is that as Ben sings to “Understanding” or what “Melody Says”, the most vivacious instrumentals surround him, while he tries to emotionally feel or scale upwards to them. What you have is a sonic symbol for what we all perceive as life; a beautiful, riotous music, we wish we could live and play in and even chase to be apart of it, but, somehow, feel too wrapped up by “ situations” to do so.
Childhood – “Cameo” (Official Video)
I would recommend Childhood for retro- rockers that want to hear heart over grooves. There is no denying that Universal High takes over you like a friendly drug. Yet, you cannot, nor will you want to, avoid the smooth voice of Ben Romans Hopcraft or their lyrical takes on feeling like you need a friend, even it if its being your own. For More Information On Childhood And To Buy Universal High On July 21 Click Here.
