Brilliantly eccentric audio entertainment...
Adam Buxton has fully embraced his Dad role. How else can one explain ‘Buckle Up’, an album that humorously addresses mishaps like accidentally grating your thumb, misplacing your phone charger, and ruining pizza night with the kids by taking things too seriously? This album reflects his own life experiences, and the comedian’s genuine candor makes it an absurdly enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Blending attention-grabbing jingles with quirky electro-pop—produced with the help of Metronomy’s Joe Mount—‘Buckle Up’ is filled with annoyingly catchy tunes. ‘Doing It Wrong’ serves as a euphoric chant, ‘Tea Towel’ presents a quirky bossa nova anthem, and ‘My Feelings’ is a folk-pop nursery rhyme that talks about respect.
That said, Adam Buxton is indeed serious about this project; there’s a feeling that each note has its rightful place, even if it’s not where you might expect. ‘Betjemen Notes’ offers a contemplative piano stroll, while the intense guitars in ‘Spiders’ transition into a blend of electronic angst.
In just 34 minutes, ‘Buckle Up’ manages to squeeze in 15 tracks—there’s no shortage of standout moments, from the meandering Dylan tribute ‘Skip This Track’ to the captivating ‘Pizza Time’. If there’s a flaw in the album, it’s that there might be a bit too much happening—it exuberantly darts between different tones and styles, all tied together by a delightfully frantic energy.
Yet, that is likely the intention—something called ‘Buckle Up’ isn’t meant to be easily digested. An early, rejected title was ‘Adjacent To Music’, hinting at Adam Buxton’s whimsically unconventional approach. Adjacent to music, perhaps, but firmly rooted in the realm of wonderfully outrageous sound entertainment.
7/10
Words: Robin Murray
—
Join us on WeAre8, as we delve into global cultural events. Follow Clash Magazine HERE as we joyfully navigate through clubs, concerts, interviews, and photo shoots. Gain backstage access and an insight into our world as the excitement unfolds.
Join the Clash mailing list for the latest in music, fashion, and film news.
Gwenifer Raymond, a guitarist from Wales currently based in Brighton, is a unique talent. In her live performances and through her two previous albums, she has cultivated a noticeably tactile sound.
Former Woman's Hour guitarist William Burgess is back with his new project, Person People. The musician, who was raised in Kendal, was integral to the beloved
In June of last year, Lola Young launched her debut album, ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’, propelling her into the limelight of pop music with its victorious first single,
London's experi-pop trio PVA is set to release their new album 'No More Like This' on January 23rd. The band plans to collaborate with Secretly Distribution for the album's release.
Clash will hold a special party at The Great Escape's First Fifty event on November 13th. This London event features some fantastic independent music venues.
.jpg)
Jawnino has released a new single titled 'LivFlare (broadway market).' The London rapper stands out in the underground scene, collaborating with various producers to cultivate
Adam Buxton is definitely in his Dad zone. What other way can you describe ‘Buckle Up’, an album that addresses the dangers of unintentionally grating your thumb, losing