Album Review
4 Stars Gloomy and often suffocating – akin to the city that produced it – ‘Evenfall’ serves as an intricate snapshot.
Reviewer: Ed Lawson
Released: 28th March 2025
Label: ANTI-
In his full-length debut, Sam Akpro expands upon the acclaim of his previous work, vividly portraying a picture of modern urban dissatisfaction that is predominantly grey in tone. ‘Evenfall’ showcases the Peckham native's use of layered sounds—featuring the sound of a dial-up modem in ‘I Can’t See The Sun’, disco strings in ‘City Sleeps’, and the hum of a helicopter in ‘Baka’—to amplify the intensity of songs that are already rich in sense of place and time, marked by ennui-tinged lyrics and dynamic rhythms echoing the essence of the city at night. The tranquil euphoria of ‘Chicago Town’ emerges through Sam’s repeating line, “So we both / Stay afloat,” hovering above dissonant guitar riffs. ‘Cherry’ blends a drum’n’bass rhythm with gently layered vocals for a hypnotic, yet anxiety-inducing effect. The opening track ‘I Can’t See The Sun’ evokes the experience of trudging along damp urban streets, with its melding of a post-punk bassline and a sluggish ska-like beat creating a restless, contemporary reflection of The Specials’ iconic ‘Ghost Town’. ‘Tunnel Vision’ stands out as perhaps the most immediate track, employing literal television tuning sounds that playfully enhance the distorted, repetitive vocals reminiscent of Gorillaz, culminating in an enchanting experience. Gloomy and frequently claustrophobic—just like the city that gave rise to it—‘Evenfall’ presents a detailed snapshot.
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Dark and frequently suffocating – similar to the city that produced it – ‘Evenfall’ is a detailed portrayal.