Released:
Rating: ★★★★
“A cracking start to what will most likely be a lengthy and surprise-filled career” is how we rounded out our review of Willie J Healey’s debut album, ‘People And Their Dogs’. Now we don’t want to talk about Mystic Megs, but that set path seems to be proven true with ‘Twin Heavy’ – Willie’s second LP that manages to pack not so much a reinvention in but an expansion in the sweet pop sounds he first tipped his hat to on his first run-out.
Gloriously bubbling with warm 70s soul, ‘Twin Heavy’ is an accomplished next step from a songwriter playing around with a sound they’ve found a home in. Every track opens up a new-found confidence as a performer, whether it’s the swinging ‘Sweeter Than Most’, the majestically sweet ‘For You’ and the harmony soaked ‘Why You Gotta Do It’. Practically shining and beaming from ear to ear, ‘Thousand Reasons’ harks back with an innocence that sounds like a brokenhearted Toy Story theme, whilst ‘Fashun’, ‘Heavy Traffic’ and ‘Songs For Joanna’ demonstrates Willie’s unmistakable knack for tight but explosive garage rock meets chopping blues.
Wistful, packed with dreaming and undeniably rich – ‘Twin Heavy’ feels like an album full of fresh excitement and a blast from a bygone era at the same time. In the process, he practically takes his story so far and draws cartoons all over it. This is what Willie J Healey has been waiting for. Surprises? Yeah, the cracking start has just got even better.
Jamie Muir
