Irish folk pop duo ‘Hudson Taylor’ consists of brothers Harry and Alfie Hudson-Taylor, who are taking the UK by storm with their recent tour and debut album ‘Singing For Strangers’, released last week. Not only have the boys toured with Jake Bugg in the past, but they also toured the festival circuit last summer, and have a fair few upcoming festival appearances this summer, as well as a string of European dates.
Hudson Taylor have been touring intimate venues and releasing EP’s since they formed in 2011, so fans will be familiar with some of the album due to it including singles from previously released EP’s, Spotify sessions and so on, but it really is the perfect mixture of old and new. Singles the boys are known for such as ‘Battles’, ‘Weapons’, and the up-tempo ‘Chasing Rubies’ really stand out as masterpieces, especially with the boys harmonies in ‘Chasing Rubies’ that show us just how well the boys work together.
Though arguably the new songs are just as strong, such as opening track ‘Just A Thought’, which has an incredibly catchy chorus that’ll have you singing “get right out, get right out of my head’ along with the boys. There are some songs you can listen to and instantly imagine live, and ‘Just A Thought’ is definitely one of them. ‘Wildfires’ is another cracking new track that features some gorgeous guitar work and a drum build up which could easily be switched for the sounds of peoples feet banging on the ground at a gig, or idyllically even around a campfire – the track entices you, and you almost feel part of it.
‘Singing For Strangers’ is drastically different to other albums out there at the moment, and it really does display some class talent from the Hudson Taylor boys. The lyrics, the music, their voices and their harmonies are spot on, and there are moments in the album that have the ability to give you goose bumps; the last line of ‘Night Before The Morning After’ for example, where the music comes to a drastic halt, leaving you with the pure vocals of the last line.
This album is the result of so much hard work from two brothers who have gone from creating a YouTube channel, busking on the streets, and playing live wherever they can, so it really is a joy that I can put my hand on my heart and say that it is one of the best and stunning albums I’ve heard so far in 2015.
Laura Dean
