Barbarossa
Bloodlines
Reviewed By: Lexi Bissonnette
Londoner Barbarossa (James Mathe) released his second album, Bloodlines. Bloodlines’ ten tracks amp it up a bit from his first album, adding in a predominant use of drums and an organ to most of the songs. While still essentially a pop album, the use of the organ in many tracks adds a beautiful soulful sound and quality to it. His strong vocals add to each track, but in some a little mushed and harder to understand.
Each track has a slightly unique sound, from the 50’s sound in “Saviour Shelf” to the soul sound in “Turbine”. However the album still has a cohesive feel and listeners will not feel mislead with the tracks all having a slightly different sound. The tracks range nicely from a darker soul sound to lively and energetic. “Battles” is the longest track on the album and perhaps the most soulful; both in lyrics and tonality. Immediately after the album shifts to “The Load” which is the most energetic and upbeat sound on the album.
Rating: Listenable
