Tom Hingley's 'Soulfire' is more than just an album; it's a sonic blast that sends shivers down the spines of those yearning for authenticity in today's sugar-coated pop. Released in 2021, this album strangely emanates a rawer, more profound intensity than Hingley's earlier work with Inspiral Carpets. Recorded in the heart of Manchester, the city that epitomizes grit and rebellion, 'Soulfire' is the aural equivalent of reading a Hemingway novel in a world of pulp fiction.
Right off the bat, Hingley sets the tone for a journey that's unapologetically real. The album is an audacious challenge to the saccharine soundscape of modern music, where artists seem more interested in TikTok trends than in crafting melodies with meaning. 'Soulfire' emerges as a beacon for those of us who value substance over style, depth over drama.
Track one, 'The Vegetarian Winter', doesn’t just ease you into the album; it punches you in the face with its dynamic guitar riffs and lyrics that weave a tale of resilience and authenticity. It’s an anthem for anyone tired of society’s current diet of superficiality. The song, in essence, mocks the shallow pretenses of the modern era while rekindling a sense of nostalgia for the times when music carried a message - a truth that resonates deeply with those longing for the days of meaningful rock.
And speaking of truth, Tom isn’t coy about his influences. In tracks like 'Swallowed by the Sea', he channels legends like Lennon and McCartney while adding his inimitable touch. The song captures the rugged beauty of narratives that are unapologetically honest, traits that today are often masked behind glitter and glamour. This is music for those who appreciate rugged terrain, both in landscape and spirit.
Let’s face it, today's artists often take political correctness overboard, rendering their music almost insipid. Not Tom. 'Soulfire' burns with bold sentiment and doesn’t shy away from prickly issues. Case in point: the track 'Beast Inside' critiques the 'outrage culture'. With its gritty bass line and confrontational lyrics, this song challenges listeners to question the mindsets that have made today's society overly sensitive and easily offended.
Hingley's 'Soulfire' is also a masterclass in musical unpredictability. Unlike many albums that follow a formulaic path, each track on 'Soulfire' veers its own way, analogous to creating a path in a dense wilderness. In 'Hollow of the Wine', acoustic melodies serenade us with tales of grounded realism, reminding us of a time when artists genuinely engaged with their audience rather than pandering to the number of likes on a screen.
'Soulfire' closes with 'Ain't Anyone', a cathartic explosion of sound that reverberates with listeners long after the final note has faded. The song strips away the layers of pretense, offering a melody that almost reads as a manifesto against modern superficiality. This album-ending piece is a fitting finale to a body of work that never pretends, never cowers.
In a time where artistry is oftentimes drowned by the noise of political correctness and superficiality, Hingley's 'Soulfire' dares to ignite a conversation. It's for those of us who appreciate directness, the audacity to say, and the courage to push back against the tidal wave of mediocrity threatening to engulf music. Tom Hingley has reignited the flames of sincerity and unabashed conviction in music with 'Soulfire'. So, if you’re scouring your Spotify for something real in a sea of predictable playlists, ignite your playlist with some 'Soulfire'.