Written by Lauren Rosier
Twin Spirit is the 9th solo record from indie/lo-fi artist, Mike Gale, which is slated for release on June 18, 2021, via Baboo Records. This release follows last year’s B, C, D Sides, Vol.1, Sunshine For The Mountain God, and The Star Spread Indefinite albums.
“‘Twin Spirit’ is my 9th solo release. I wanted to find a new way of writing that excited me again so decided to work with just samples. I played bass on one song but apart from that everything else is a sample I found and manipulated to fit the songs. I found that this offered me a huge amount of freedom to do different styles and sing in different ways. I wasn’t bound by my limitations as a fairly poor musician. It was such a liberating experience for me.”
The Southampton, UK-based indie lo-fi artist, Gale, is also the former Black Nielson and Co-pilgrim frontman.
On his latest record, Twin Spirit, Gale decided to put down the guitar and write melodies over samples. The opening song, “Don’t Mind The Weather,” is a piano-based track, with his vocals layered over top.
“I was a little bored of writing songs on the guitar and was looking for some inspiration to try a new way of working. I was singing made up melodies over some instrumental hip hop stuff one day when it struck me I could do that myself. I’d find and mess about with an initial sample that I’d put a melody over, then try to turn that into a complete song by adding other samples. It was a totally different way of working for me and one that I enjoyed every minute of.”
The following song on the album, “Betterriver,” is a standout track, a bit trippy, yet ambient, and definitely not like anything I’ve ever heard before. Gale somehow still remains one of England’s undiscovered treasures and best-kept secrets, even with a back catalog of 18 critically acclaimed albums.
“Awake Awake” is the latest single from the album and opens with gentle strums on the guitar, then opens up into this fantastic upbeat melody.
On “Welcome To Amsterdam,” the track opens with the piano, then breaks into synths, and he begins to sing layered over the synths and piano. It’s an interesting combination.
Gale takes us on a journey through the 80s on the track, “Another Trick of the Light.” The track has this light, airy vibe to it with his vocals floating over top of the lyrics.
“The Lanes of San Luis” is a piano-based track featuring raw vocals and a fantastic guitar solo. It almost gives it a Spanish flair and has such a different vibe compared to the other tracks on the record.
Overall, Twin Spirit is a very eclectic album with tracks I was pleasantly pleased about. I would definitely recommend at least giving this album a listen. You never know what you may find.
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