Immediately by introduction to the sweeping piano pop ballad of “The Sailor Song” a few years ago in their former guise of the Gadsdens, the prospect of a long playing collection of fluidly intelligent indie-pop melodies has been one that has undergone a prolonged gestation and a name change to that of Autoheart along the way.
However, by the same token it is true to comment that quality evergreen timepieces of seminal distinction as Autoheart give as their album debut “Punch” rarely are rushed.
“Punch” is a towering debut, polished top to toe with impressively detail focused dynamics, secured by the stellar acquisition of Coldplay “X & Y” producer Danton Supple, which proves to be a prudent choice of collaborator in the understanding of Autoheart’s emotively poignant and insightful perceptions of life and relationship observations.
The album is steeped in an all-encompassing contemplative mood of relatable love and life situations that go somewhat deeper than the average pop offering and is driven by the distinctively endearing and lilting indie-folk delivery of front man Jody Gadsden.
“Punch” is an album that champions an unequivocal presentation of acoustic, piano pop and soaring melodies wrapped up in sentiment, heartfelt vocal delivery and honeyed harmonies, sliding in jangly, chugging guitars, percussion and orchestral elements into it’s overall sound-picture of jaunty pop making.
Tracks we already know, “The Sailor Song”, “Control” and “Lent” are representative of the Autoheart’s whimsical nature and animated signature sound that coherently flows through “Punch” and indeed it is an album that doesn’t beg track by track analysis as such, since the 12 track playlist glides seamlessly on it’s own accord from one indie pop gem to another. A more comprehensive insight into the continuity of “Punch” is best demonstrated via album sampler below.
Further to it’s merit “Punch” can be looked upon as a multi-faceted album that can be enjoyed either at face value for it’s alluring tuneworthy melodies alone or for the more discerning pop aficionados like myself who readily immerse ourselves into the full lyrical experience, we will be equally sated by the illuminating and provocative content also.
Preceding the release of “Punch” on July 15th, first comes the AA release “Moscow” /“Agoraphobia” on July 7th to which the band have fashioned themselves as DIY video-makers for the latter, using only their mobile phones to depict the themes of isolation and loneliness the song evokes, through the characterization of giant rabbit wandering around London.
So somebody best call up Private Eye Eddie Valiant and drop hint at “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” – as Autoheart clearly have and they have done it frame by frame in video on their mobile phones.
This is the evidence, but exactly where are these precise burrows in the Capital the forlorn creature’s tube hopping journey takes him too – go figure it sleuths!