American singer/songwriter Daughn Gibson became an underground sensation with the release of his debut LP All Hell. He continued to refine his hazy style of grunge pop with the follow-up Me Moan, and now he’s back with Carnation.
Gibson’s soothing baritone voice is still the record’s driving force, but as we can hear from opening track Bled To Death, female backing vocals and instruments like steel guitar bring a newfound depth. Heaven You Better Come In combines emotional lyrics with vocal effects and sweeping background instrumentation; the ‘80s tinged Shatter You Though has a dreamy, melancholy charm; and For Every Bite has a rhythm and flow most would associate with The Smiths.
The gloomy Daddy I Cut My Hair delves into themes like mental health and sexuality, although it’s lifted by some beautiful strings. A Rope Ain’t Enough is a fairly slow number, which is saying a lot on an album that isn’t exactly upbeat. Thankfully, things pick up with I Let Him Deal, thanks to playful percussion and a driving bass riff. Shine Of The Night impressively showcases Gibson’s vocals, while Runaway and the Pyro is like an intense stage musical. It’s more Nick Cave than David Bowie, both of whom seem to have heavily influenced the album.
BY CHRIS BRIGHT
