As he continues to support the release of his mesmerising debut solo album ‘Art’, lifelong musician Paul Archer has returned with his latest single ‘Heavy Soul’!
Creative rebirth:
There are many “firsts” with ‘Art’: the first Paul Archer solo album in a 30-year recording career; his first vinyl album (conceived as such from the start); and the first time his visual art has intersected with his musical world, featuring on the cover and inserts. It is also the first album of a new career phase back home in Northern Ireland after many years in East Anglia with Burning Codes – and fans are already telling him it’s the best thing he’s done.
After 30 years of rock ‘n’ rollercoaster travails – major label deals that happened but nothing eventuated, management meltdowns, publishing disasters – Paul’s positive energy is undimmed. ‘Art’ is not the lonely drinker in Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, wondering how it all slipped away – it’s an explosion of power, passion and grace, the sound of a man with fabulous melodic gifts still seeing chinks of light whatever the darkness.
Paul’s new solo album called “Art” also includes various sonic collaborators including Terri Hooley (Good Vibrations Records, Undertones), Jim Lockhart (Horslips), Iain Archer ( Grammy nominated and Ivor Novello winning singer and songwriter – James Bay, Snow Patrol, Jake Bugg, Tired Pony, Liam Gallagher…) and Nathan Connolly of Snow Patrol and Jonny Quinn previously of Snow Patrol, both of whom have contributed to Paul’s work.
‘Heavy Soul’
Paul reveals how “‘Heavy Soul’ was written after extensive thought in regard to how often as a species we seem to struggle to realise what a precious gift this beautiful planet really is and how by not looking after it we are in turn hurting ourselves.
The song further examines this relationship in terms of the individual and how love begins at home inside each of us and if we struggle to love ourselves then consequently it can often follow that we can struggle to fully love others and our precious planet, environment and ecosystem.
The track features Andy Hawkins and myself. With Andy on drums, guitars, bass and keys and myself on vocals and guitars. The song was written by myself and produced and mixed by Andy Hawkins with the recording done by the both of us.”
‘Heavy Soul’ is drenched in musical influence, whilst also being a refreshingly new approach to alternative rock. Paul Arhcer has released a track that hits hard, and it’s a perfect starting point for any new listener!