Willie J Healey's sophomore effort is packed with joyful indie pop to wash away the lockdown blues. The record comes two years after he was dropped by his previous label and the singer-songwriter frequently pokes fun at the turn of events.
Opener Fashun (with tongue-in-cheek spelling) deploys a catchy beat and dreamy backing vocals as he recalls promises young hopefuls are often given: “You’re gonna be a big star, honey/A real household name.”
After unexpectedly becoming a free agent, Healey eventually found his new creative home with YALA!, a label co-founded by The Maccabees’ Felix White. Through the label, he met producer Loren Humphrey, who helped create the record’s authentic Seventies sound during a hectic nine-day session.
Coming-of-age track Songs for Joanna boasts Lou Reed-esque vocals and stylings, while on the glorious Condo he switches things up, slowing the tempo and offering a dramatic take on love and heartache. While Healey never preaches, preferring to have a good time instead, Why You Gotta Do It catalogues a few lessons he’s learnt in recent years: “Money doesn’t solve your problems/But a little bit of cash might help.”
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