search
date/time
Yorkshire Times
A Voice of the Free Press
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
@jeremydwilliams
6:00 AM 30th May 2020
arts

Teddy Thompson - Heartbreaker Please

 
Between 2000 and 2011 Teddy Thompson released a series of five solo albums, each with their own distinctive sound and feel. The last 9 years has seen his output more focused on collaboration - both with his famous family and Kelly Jones. However, having released what was deemed his most personal album as his last solo release in 2011 - Bella - which was also his poppiest outing to date, it is an interesting reference point as he releases his sixth solo album, Heartbreaker Please.



As the title suggests Heartbreaker Please is written in the aftermath of the pain of a heartbreak, yet as is usually best in these cases, the album itself is forward looking and rather peppy in sound. There is little doubt that Bella has been overtaken in the pop stakes, with Heartbreaker Please leans heavily on classic pop sounds for its foundations.

While the bouncy horns, Hammond and occasional strings give the album a rich timeless feel, it is the strength of Teddy's vocal. Delivered with a emotion, but never overblown, the collection does not feel measured but just real.

At times Heartbreaker Please heads in the direction of Fitz and the Tantrums, but never quite pushes fully into the made for radio terrain. Yet there is no denying that any of the 10 songs that form the record would sit easily on the radio and have listeners of all musical persuasions humming along in no time at all.

That being said, there are a few stand out moments. The playful dance-ability of the lush At A Light will set your heart aflutter, while What Now goes straight to the heart. Yet it is in the classic soul of Record Player and rockabilly drive of It's Not Easy that the album really excels.

Heartbreaker Please is a retro pop driven collection of radio friendly singles that can be enjoyed as stand alone moments or in the context of the album.