C Duncan
EP
February 19 2016 (FatCat Records)
7/10
Words: Conran McMullan
After the success of debut album ‘Architect’, Christopher Duncan shares with us a musical journey of his career so far. Being Mercury Prize nominated for ‘Architect’ shows just how gifted he is as a musician and songwriter; a talent that has not gone unnoticed by critics and tastemakers.
This latest EP starts at pace with “A Year Or So”, a recently written song which retains his ghostly sound, while featuring a jazz style guitar backing to bring more life to the track. 'Garden' will be familiar to those accustomed with Duncan's music, being his third single release, and is a live session recording that was done for BBC Radio 6 Music's Lauren Laverne’s show. It is a track which serves to prove his ability to perform, albeit offering nothing new to listeners placed here on this record.
Third track 'The Age For Love
(Is The Wrong Age For Me)' is as old as the title is long, and not previously released. It's old-school romantic and could easily have come from the 60s or 70s but still sits brilliantly within today’s industry. To bring the EP to a close we are treated to a cover of Cocteau Twins' (who Christopher cites as a major influence) 'Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops'. Sensibly choosing to stray from the original – the Cocteau Twins are after all demigods to some – it is performed with gentleness and delicacy, but keeping the passion of its roots.
With this taste of C Duncan’s development, we can look forward to him continuing his journey through the musical world.
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