Three years after ‘Hugo,’ Loyle Carner returns with ‘hopefully !’ – a thoughtful, distinctly indie compilation that prioritizes emotional clarity over sonic experimentation. The energetic beats and voice notes from earlier albums are replaced by a more subdued, organic sound, wrapping introspective themes in ethereal guitars, live drum breaks, and influences of shoegaze.
The album commences with ‘feel at home,’ a breakbeat-oriented track that establishes the pace: relaxed and intentional. It introduces several key themes of the album: family, duty, and meaning. It serves as a companion for early mornings and late evenings, with lyrics that unfold gradually, supported by Carner’s reflective delivery. The production leans towards spaciousness rather than grandeur, allowing his voice to take center stage—raw and largely unrefined. He no longer hides behind layers; he presents himself openly. The album’s mood mirrors Carner’s life changes. With the responsibility of raising his young son, his past experiences have matured into a deeper perspective, allowing him to pause and cherish the present moment.
There’s a consistent flow throughout the album. Tracks like ‘in my mind’ and ‘all I need’ glide along a shared feeling of melancholy, characterized by minimal, guitar-focused arrangements and subdued vocals. While this coherence results in a seamless listening experience, it also leads to a potential drawback of limited variety. By the middle of the album, particularly on songs like ‘lyin’ and ‘time to go,’ it seems to lose some momentum, appearing more as variations on a singular theme rather than bold proclamations.
The track ‘horcrux’ finally breaks the monotony, introducing jazzier elements and a more dynamic rhythm, honoring the “Funky Drummer” as a nod back to Carner’s hip-hop background. The title track, ‘hopefully,’ stands out with its jazzy layers and a notable sample from Benjamin Zephaniah that adds much-needed depth. ‘purpose,’ featuring Navy Blue and gospel-style harmonies, serves as another unexpected gem that feels like it could have been placed earlier in the album.
The concluding track, ‘about time,’ presents a poignant moment of self-reflection, contemplating fatherhood and personal development with grace. “Read the same book and told a different story,” he reflects in ‘don’t fix it’ – a line that encapsulates the essence of the album. This is a familiar version of Carner, but more polished and assured.
Although ‘hopefully !’ is rich in themes, it lacks adventurousness in sound, sticking with the soulful melancholy he is known for. It is a stripped-down, introspective collection – a sort of time capsule. Ultimately, ‘hopefully !’ doesn’t aim to be revolutionary. Instead, it seeks to be genuine. It is an album for those who have grown alongside Carner—those who, like him, are gradually finding their way. Take a breath. We’ll get there – hopefully!
8/10
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Words: Aimee Phillips
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Three years after 'Hugo', Loyle Carner makes his comeback with 'hopefully !' - a reflective and distinctly indie album that prioritizes introspection over sonic experimentation.