If you’re in need of a honey-sweet blend of indie-folk and rock to brighten up your autumn, you needn’t look any further than Justin Hewitt. Justin Hewitt, an adaptable, genre-busting creative, is back with his incredible 11-song album Love Will Disarm You (The London Sessions), a promise of introspection and authenticity.
For fans, it’s been four years of waiting after the release of Hewitt’s incredibly heartfelt EP, The Ways to Love You.
For Justin Hewitt, these past four years have been a journey of perseverance, loss, and the transformative power of music. Reflecting this journey, Hewitt’s re-emergence into the music world is one of virtuosic storytelling and raw, tear-inducing emotion. Let’s accompany Hewitt on this journey and delve into our new favourite tracks!
Cannot Speak
I simply can’t talk about this album without telling you about Cannot Speak. From the first note, I knew this track was going to be one of my favourites.
Cannot Speak introduces itself upon the gentle lull of a cosy guitar riff, which immediately establishes an air of homeliness. This soft instrumentation serves as a sort of melodic cushion, moulding beautifully to Hewitt’s soulful vocals.
I found myself swaying along to this dreamy, slow dance-esque euphony until the chorus hit my ears, and I had to do the Spotify equivalent of a double take.
Eye-widening vocal harmonies ornament the chorus, and although they were unexpected, this isn’t a bad thing. In actuality, they spoke to a break-taking balance of control and vulnerability that reflects Hewitt’s evolution from The Ways to Love You.
It was truly impressive how effortlessly Hewitt transitioned from the chorus’s high-pitched vim to the peaceful pace of the subsequent verses. No moments of rushing to turn my volume down, just complete tranquillity.
The only thing to rival the stunning synergy between the instrumentation and the vocals is the heart-wrenching poignancy of Hewitt’s lyrics.
For me, this song delves deep into the heartbreaking inability to communicate your emotions with your significant other. Cannot Speak isn’t your cookie-cutter love song; it’s a painfully resonant mirror that reflects real love and real pain, delivered by a masterful storyteller.
At Home
Upon my first listening to At Home, I thought it would be a perfect song to listen to when returning home from a long trip.
Picture this: you’re at peace, looking out of the window at a sleepy sunset, and you’re thinking of the place or person you call home. This scene would be perfect with Justin Hewitt’s At Home, and here’s why.
At Home starts with romantically delicate guitar playing and the haunting wisps of elusive strings. Embellishing the soothing instrumentation, Hewitt’s vocals add a just-right amount of rich depth and heavy-heart smoothness.
As the song progressed, I felt utterly relaxed and content, just simply listening and writing. That is until I heard one particular line. You see, I’m a note-taking type of gal, and when I heard the line, ‘The world always turns around / to show / we are the same / at home,’ I put my pen down and replayed this line over and over again.
The line alone stunned me. Now pair this sliver of poetry with a guitar that innocently skips through Hewitt’s voice, full of child-like nimbleness. Astounding. All the while, you can hear the growling ripples of the strings, resembling the low grumbles of serene thunder.
When the diminuendo crept on me, I sat back in my chair and found myself inspired to write creatively. That’s the power of Justin Hewitt’s music.
Ending the Same
Ending the Same takes Justin Hewitt’s talents to the next level, celebrating energetic tempos and an upbeat atmosphere.
During the song’s intro, you’ll experience a cheerful medley of punchy drums and twangy guitar notes. This song shows another side of Justin Hewitt, and you’ll notice that when his vocals surface the enthusiastic instrumentals. There is audible joy in his vocal delivery, which perfectly mirrors the hopefulness of his lyrics.
As you delve deeper into the track, you’ll hear how a unique blend of passionate instrumental and vocal harmonies pushes Hewitt’s voice to new heights of emotional authenticity.
If the previous two tracks had the poignant yet dreamy ambience of Sigur Rós, Ending the Same undoubtedly has Radiohead’s unique blend of rock-infused flourishes and addictive vocal flair.
For me, this track celebrates not only the extent of The Temps’ and Hewitt’s talent but also his resilience and gleeful return to the music scene. You can hear this in the vibrant melodies woven around Hewitt’s bright, charming lyrics.
This track—rather, this entire album—is the epitome of how a professional can evolve not only as a musician but also as an introspective storyteller.
ALT: Justin Hewitt stands in a recording booth in Abbey Road Studios.
Justin Hewitt
Justin Hewitt’s musical talent has led him to do some amazing things. From attaining an honourable mention in the International Songwriting Competition to performing at The Bard & Banker, the only thing that rivals Hewitt’s talent is his determination.
Combine Hewitt’s vocals with the spectacular expertise that The Temps has to offer, and you’ll have a recipe for something more than music. Despite all of his experience, I believe Love Will Disarm You (The London Sessions) marks the beginning of a very exciting era for Justin Hewitt. But don’t take my word for it; see for yourself.
Till next time.