Musical progression and development has been a constant and key part of the story of Deaf Havana. From their post-hardcore beginnings, through flirtations with pop-punk, Americana and classic rock, more overt pop music, and indie, the other constant anchor has been the quality of the song-writing of James Veck-Gilodi. As time and tides have drifted by, and the bottoms of many a bottle have been pointed to the sky, Havana has become less of a “band” and more of a working name for a close duo.
You see, Deaf Havana isn’t supposed to be here anymore, and to have been deprived of The Present Is A Foreign Land (SO Recordings) would have been a great pity, because this is a collection of songs that, while sounding different again to its predecessors, maintains significant identity and is as strong as any previous best work released under the Deaf Havana banner; a resounding statement of the vitality of a being that had nearly given up hope and breath. This new lease of life gained by the shedding of skin and the dissolution of the band line-up – Deaf Havana now being solely made up of brothers James and Matty Veck-Gilodi – has allowed The Present Is A Foreign Land to exist.
Yet, while the backstory is important, and it is interesting that despite the honesty and negativity of several of the lyrics the album carries on an overriding feeling of hope and optimism in its music and delivery, of greater importance is the output, and whether musically the pair have something to say of note in 2022.
The answer is resoundingly positive.
Two key elements to this are the professional steps James has taken vocally, enhancing both control and note selection, taking cues from modern pop delivery, including nods to Ed Sheeran, whilst also being able to impart the emotions each reflection is representing. The pair also have a knack of finding the sweet spot of balance between pop and rock – toning down the guitars overall (though not deleting them entirely), and pushing synths, pianos and production elements to fill out the sound, while ramping up their mastery of song dynamics.
Deaf Havana – Kids (Official Video) – YouTube
In terms of standout moments there is a versatility too, with the album equally as good when we’re singing along to the optimistic pop-rock of ‘19 Dreams’ which plays with melodies not too dissimilar to Pale Waves, enjoying the electro-pop smile of ‘Someone/Somewhere’ (featuring duo IDER), or are deep in the acoustic reflections and contemplations of ‘Nevermind’. ‘Help’ and ‘Kids’ manage to bring the spirit of Old Souls yet fit perfectly into the new poppier sound created by the Veck-Gilodi brothers and Mike Horner (Hot Chip, Jess Glynne).
The brothers have created a selection of songs that are distinctive from each other, yet work as a cohesive whole, and that finishes strongly with the indie-americana flecked and simply stunning ‘Going Clear’ and synth-downer ‘Remember Me’, a track that sounds ripped from a coming-of-age TV drama soundtrack.
Taking the right elements and influences from artists like Sheeran and appropriate steer from the right pop productions, recognising what has worked for bands like Bring Me The Horizon, and adding rock pulses and their own identity, take and abilities, The Present Is A Foreign Land is a shining mix of openness, song-writer vulnerability, pop hooks and production, rock sensibilities and uplifting anthems. The present may well be a foreign land, but the future is one that seems ripe for conquering.
Buy the album here: https://lnk.to/DeafHavana-TPISFL
8 / 10
STEVE TOVEY