There is something about “Seasons of Silence,” the first of the two tracks on this teaser ep, that I was finding hard to put my finger on —something extraordinary at the heart of the song that echoed, if not the sound, then indeed the spirit, of earlier, iconic artists. Something of Jeff Buckley in the vocal range? Of Damian Rice in the lush spaciousness. A hint of David Gray in the songcrafting? A memory of James Taylor’s lyricism? You could argue that here was someone following in such luminous sonic footsteps.
But it was the second song that made the penny drop. I’m not sure that many could capture the qualities of Neil Young’s earlier, less adorned, less rock and roll, sound, but this take on his classic, “Don’t Let it Bring You Down” is so sure footed, so full of the essence of that period when, by the third album, After The Gold Rush he had found his singular voice, so …okay, let’s just say it, brilliantly done, that it even gets my praise. I’m a great believer that such sonic treasures should be left alone, but if you can cover such a song with such artistry and authenticity, such understanding and honesty, then bring it on, I say.
Laurin Hunter is a new name on my musical radar, but on the strength of these two songs, he is certainly someone I will be keeping a close eye on.
