'One Track Mind' EP by John Connearn

Out today is John Connearn's new EP ‘One Track Mind' which is made up of the songs "Brighter", "Somewhere New", "Simpler Times", "Hold On To It", "A Way Home" and "Bye For Now": the first two of which we've previously featured as single releases.

As with them, these are acoustic instrumental tracks but although I started my consideration of the stylistic period he entered this year with linking "Brighter" to the seasonal mood, I think I'd better start by stressing that the EP is dedicated to the memory of his Mum on her birthday: he says that she knew the pieces and loved them so I can imagine that they have evolved their meaning for him since first composition.

Given the circumstances, it's difficult to dive into any great analysis of the songs on a technical level (and I've never been able to do that with John's releases anyway) but salute this labour of love & the person who inspired the songs' ultimate release.

It's also impossible to listen to them without that dedication in mind & that seems fine to me: good music should be about genuine emotions and lord knows those are what you get. If the beauty is bitter-sweet then so be it. That's John's truth here and no doubt it will resonate with those who can identify with it.

Luckily in offering such a tribute up he has the writing ability to dream these up & the ability to play with sensitivity and appropriate grace: aided, in his own words by "lots of verb and delay": which tend to emphasise the sort of emotions appropriate to the circumstances.

I guess everyone deserves a tribute which is fitting: few would get one of this quality.