Ben Wright Smith has a couple of releases tucked into his blue belt already, but the launch of new single If Living The Good Life Is Easy (Why Is This So Hard?) provided an insight into the cherub-faced songwriter’s intention to step this game up.
With less of the lapsteel and simple bluegrass of debut LP Autumn Fire but more of its blithe guitar-driven beauty, there were plenty of moments for Wright Smith’s voice and lyrical ideas to move through the mix.
The man’s first track laid out the unhurried, sweet surf-blues feel which permeated his joyful set. Double woodblock clocks from the jaunty-hatted auxiliary percussionist Jorge Leiva peppered the song’s breezy warmth, while Alfi Dallaway and Ben himself on guitars created something of a Pond or Push Th’ Little Daisies fervour.
That Ween comparison actually isn’t so far off for Ben’s vocals, either. At times he took the more twee elements of his voice – which is a jubilant, aerial thing that remains very intimate – and stretched them to almost a cheep. Initially audience opinion appeared to be mixed, but a few tracks in I was convinced that the experimentation was fresh and unique.
The show’s heralded single displayed Wright Smith’s skill in writing and arranging to create total affinity. It sounded like a bird coasting on the wind tides, if I may get a bit poetic. Keys, bass and guitar melded into gorgeously wavering chords with a simple but soaring, almost Gallagher-inspired lead guitar line. That benevolent monster drove the track’s narrative, with climbing drums from Evan Lineham, occasional sweet jazz thirds from keys player Jesse Williams and Leiva’s subtly spirited congas. The harmonies from Wright Smith and bassist Tyler Millott elevated the track (and the set) into incandescent stuff. Definitely looking forward to the next full-length release.
BY ZÖE RADAS
LOVED: Ben cheersing bevs with Tyler mid-song. Sah happy.
HATED: Girl dramas.
DRANK: Eleventy-hundred beers.
