Nick Murphy - What’s In Your Mind? (Album)
There are immeasurable words that can describe the sound of Melbourne-based musician Nick Murphy. His dreamy, almost psychedelic, folk style of music is a soothing and tranquil experience to listen to and his second album release What’s In Your Mind? is bang on the money in terms of the musical engineering, accompanying artwork and of course, Murphy’s performance.
The album starts off with All I Want, a track of minimalist approach, with simple acoustic guitar, Murphy’s soft, peaceful vocals and a thin layer of strings to complete the picture. The lyrics of this track question the meaning of life and the existence of mankind through a highly intelligent vocabulary, finishing with the tongue-twisting line “I need a revelation, without a darkened disappointment optimistical redemption.”
The next slow, mystical adventure comes in the form of Candles Flicker, a slightly more pop-folk sound, blending the harmonies of Basement Birds with the near satin-textured vocals of Angus Stone. Murphy continues his deep and meaningful lyrical components with the issue of global warming being addressed, encouraging his listeners to join car pools, ride bikes and getting to work evidently late. Although it may sound all free-spirited and natural, there is genuine meaning behind the songs and it does resonate throughout every listen.
An unusual experience is brought forward within the track Tonight, which sends nostalgic chills down the spines of classic rock fans, as it is evidently obvious that House of the Rising Sun has been put into a new rendition yet again. But once that fact has been put to rest, the remainder of the album tingles the aural senses with warm, acoustic musicality, which is highly impressive and enjoyable to listen to.
Nick Murphy has truly outdone himself with this recording and deserves the kudos of both music lovers and critics alike. What’s In Your Mind is one of the fantastic local albums that is highly recommended for the fans of adult contemporary music and even those who are as so bold as to describe their taste as ‘indie’.
