Richard Ashcroft // Lovin’ You

Indie Icon has some fun with first release in seven years

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Album Artwork

It has been a revitalising year for crooner Richard Ashcroft. A well-deserved spot opening for the reunited Oasis has seen legions of fans roaring the lyrics to the iconic hits from his tenure in the Verve. This renewed attention has led to a sold-out arena tour, as fans rediscovered their love for the vocal powerhouse.

With rave reviews for his live shows, it remained to be seen if this burst of energy would translate into his newest album “Lovin’ You”. An album that can broadly be split into two categories; with the expected guitar and string driven affair accompanied by more boundary pushing tracks which eschew the acoustic-driven balladry for electronic sample and drum machine revelry.

Lead single “Lover” opens the album with a light-hearted sonnet comprised of gentle acoustic strums, sweeping strings and a steady rhythm section. The track interpolates Joan Armatrading’s classic “Love and Affection”, acting as a statement for the album’s themes of love which are woven throughout.

This is followed by the country twang of “Out of These Blues”, which provides one of the most tender moments on the album. The strength of the ballad comes from Ashcroft’s unwavering delivery, sounding as razor sharp as he did in the 90s. In fact, much of the album is a testament to just how exceptional his vocals are. These blues build up into a crescendo during the outro, as the steady sway of the track plays host to a soaring guitar solo.

Rocker “Heavy News” is a fuzz wrapped appeal to joie-de-vivre which evokes Neil Young’s “Hey Hey, My My”. “Don’t you ever say you’re bored with life, don’t you ever say that you've lost that fight” Ashcroft pleads over the lumbering riff and wailing guitars.

Title track “Lovin’ You” is driven by a powerful drum loop which delivers a fresh new spin on the acoustic guitars and strings which comprise the rest of the track. A vocal sample repeats over this instrumentation, achieving a chilled groove to which Ashcroft spits vocals in an almost rap-like flow.

These acoustic guitars are traded for synths, bass-lines and flared trousers on “I’m a Rebel” as the album attempts a disco-inspired stomper. While nothing revolutionary, the track acts as a fun detour which prevents the rest of the project from taking itself too seriously and becoming stale. In fact, as Ashcroft slides into a boogie-busting chorus, the song becomes a surprise gem on the album.

In contrast to the esoteric cuts on the album, album closer “Fly to the Sun” is vintage Ashcroft. With tinges of “The Drugs Don’t Work”, the track pulls at the heartstrings and acts as a low-key way to close out the album. Once again showing that the recipe of Ashcroft’s gritty vocals and an acoustic guitar continues to delight.

“Lovin’ You” stands as a testament to Ashcroft's established strengths while also showing his commitment to evolution. Rejecting the easy route for the excitement of experimentation, to admittedly mixed results, when the album is firing on all cylinders it delivers a thrilling modern entry for one of indie music’s most iconic vocalists. It doesn’t entirely reinvent Richard Ashcroft, but neither does it aim to. Instead, it delivers reassuringly solid songwriting alongside some explorations into new sounds.

Purchase the album: here

Stream the album: here

Buy tickets to see Richard Ashcroft live: here

Review By: Sam McNaughton