The Sheffield Scenester

Ian Britt, a singer/songwriter originating from Sheffield, has already had one debut album and a couple of EP’s under his belt and so with the imminent release of his new album simply titled ‘Box’, we at Sheffield Scenester were given a preview from this renowned artist who not only has a Dutch fan base but whose music has even turned heads Stateside!

Opening with the same kind of 1960’s voiceover as used to great effect on the prologue to the film ‘The Full Monty’, we are introduced to the first track, ‘Back Home’, which crosses the line between early INXS and some laid back, surf drenched hula of a song. Full of swaying energy this track instantly lifts you out of the doldrums and plants you firmly on the calm white shores of a tropical beachscape while you watch your troubles get gently washed away. This really is the effect that is created in listening to this album opener, not so much a cry to escape the rat race, but more of a subtle hint that every now and then, you need to step back and look at the big picture!

The whole album is one full of optimism, and whilst his almost simplistic rhythms are there simply as a backdrop to the many little tales of everyday life he has to tell, they are still solid tunes within themselves. You could easily be forgiven for thinking that the whole album is just a cluster of ‘retro-hippy music’ but at the end of the day Ian refuses to let life grind him down. His philosophy seems to be ‘life will let you down at times but inevitably there is compromise, there is a way through or there are better things to come....just stick around long enough to find out!’

In the enchantingly melodic third track ‘In The middle’, he seems to be mending a broken relationship through a bit of give and take, instead of the usual route of begging her to come back, this in itself is a refreshing approach. Following this is the near calypso tones of ‘Run Lola Run’, for some reason both this one and the previous track seem to remind me of latter day Billy Joel, namely his ‘River of Dreams’ era.

Essentially what Ian has done is to take concepts like harmonious, relaxing, therapeutic, honesty and sincerity, and gently blend them into a collection of personal songs that the likes of Paul Simon would be more than proud to call his own. Whilst it may not have you jumping in the aisles, without doubt it has a foot tapping infectiousness, driving along with it on the stereo I often found myself tapping the steering wheel in rhythm to its soothing melodies!

If ever Ian Britt wanted to make a name for himself then this album will definitely be a huge step in the right direction. We look forward to seeing him perform some of these at his next live show in Sheffield when he plays on August 30th at The Weston Park Charity Event along with some of Sheffield’s finest acts; Driftrun, The Tivoli, Sarah Mac, The Cartels, Lords Of Flatbush and Orange 38.

(album not yet released)