“Let It All Pass” by Desert Life is a captivating album that beautifully showcases the duo’s talent and artistry. The Tenby, Wales-based duo, composed of singer-songwriter Chris Swales and multi-instrumentalist Tom Jordan, has crafted a sound that echoes the likes of Ryan Adams, Jeff Tweedy, Bon Iver, and R.E.M.
The album opens with “Future Dead,” a gentle yet emotionally rich start. Acoustic folk instrumentals set the early pace before pensively passionate vocals come in. The lyrics weave a compelling story in the verse before reaching a soaring and singalong chorus. It’s a beautiful introduction to the world of Desert Life.
“I Don’t Wanna Know” ups the tempo and introduces some atmospheric country rock elements. It tells a melancholic story of heartbreak before “Tangled Light” injects some cosmic philosophy. “Sphere” is a deliberate, slow-building wonder. Its vulnerable and authentic feel, and descriptive lyrics, make it a highlight.
“Hiraeth” is a slow and brooding instrumental moment. “Garden Of The Fallen” sits at the heart of the album and gives us some timeless folk rock with captivating vocals. “Caught On The Wind” brightens things up with some bittersweet storytelling. It’s another highlight.
“No Colours” paints a vivid picture with its poetic lyrics and licks of horn before “Never Be The Same” introduces some stormy ambience. Title track “Let It All Pass” takes us on a soul-searching and ultimately freeing journey. “That Book” closes the album with a delicate acoustic farewell. With image-laden lyrics, captivating vocals, and a healthy dose of melancholy, it nicely sums up the Desert Life sound, and acts as the perfect final chapter for the album.
The album is an elegant and eloquent piece of work. It proves that Desert Life can produce exquisite singles and a full-length album that is a testament to their talent and artistry. The duo’s poetic, meaningful, contemplative, and storytelling lyricism shines through a flawless vocal performance that expertly balances between low, mid, and high notes, emphasizing cleverly arranged instrumentations.
The album was produced by Nick Swannell at Studio 49. It features drums by Jason Downes and Huw Rees, double bass by Richie Evans, accordion by George Whitfield, cello by Daisy Whitfield, and pedal-steel guitar by Jon Graboff. The attention to detail in the structure planning is more than evident, and the duo’s brilliant ideas shine through in the final product.
“Let It All Pass” by Desert Life is a must-listen for fans of acoustic and indie rock. The duo successfully captures the essence of these genres and delivers an album that showcases their talent and artistry. It’s a comprehensive collection of outstanding compositions that will unquestionably appeal to true folk-rock fans, but it will also suit even those newbies who are stumbling upon this music genre for the first time.