Up and coming artist Stuart Newman offers a haunting, slightly ragged sound reminiscent of Elliot Smith. Hailing South of England, near Brighton the UK native is in the process of making a new album called Single But Defective. Unsigned, but determined Newman is putting together all the pieces of this album himself, and making progress. Newman has been featured on BBC6 Music Radio, AMP Radio Network, and in God is in the Tv (www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk)
Citing such influences such as Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, and Simon and Garfunkel, It’s easy to understand where this 21 year old is getting his inspiration. With tender, careful picking of the guitar, and a voice almost playing to a whisper, Newman’s music seems to slow everything down, bringing a quiet command for notice. The song “Cry Wolf” picks up in comparison to the mellow melodies of his other tracks, laid over with charming sound clips, it’s a song with a bit of narration, something Newman also does in “Oil” that I found to be rather unique. With lyrics full of broodings over war, politics, and ourselves as a people Newman is pushing for topics beyond heartbreak and loneliness that so commonly command the attention of the solo artist. Overall I’d say Stuart Newman is someone worth checking up on, and turning to when you’re in need some something soft, soothing and delicate. Be sure to look up his many sites to access his music, and track the progress of Single But Defective.
Links for Stuart Newman:
www.last.fm/music/Stuart+Newman/Single+But+Defective
http://trig.com/stuartnewman
