BABER / WILEMAN 2

A few years after the first album from the duo, Matt and Richard got back into the studio (with Amy Fry again guesting on three tracks) to record a follow-up to their 2022 debut. In many ways this album sees them expanding on what they did previously, so the instrumental tracks have more depth, breadth and power, while the vocal tracks are far more standalone with real hooks. Take for example "Grindhouse Dreamer", I have found myself singing that in the apartment, which is definitely really unusual. They have used Richard's rock guitar to greater effect, bringing in some Gilmour touches here and there, while also maintain a Hackett edge. The keyboards are layered and at the base of everything and while there was a lot of space in the debut this one feels much more brought in tight and close. Amy may be used sparingly, but when she is involved, her nuances take the music into different spheres.

Still heavily rooted in progressive and modern classical music, this is yet another release which is both a delight and has been massively overlooked with little in the way of reviews. I have been fortunate enough to have known Richard for some 30 years and have been able to write about most of his music, and it never ceases to amaze (and frustrate) me how he manages to continuously deliver real beauty in his works, and in Matt he has obviously found a kindred spirit as together they have produced two delightful albums. Designed to be played on headphones, and to be properly listened to as opposed to some throwaway commercial pap, like their debut this is yet another delight to be discovered.