I have Joe Whyte to thank for introducing me to Simon Bromide. Following the Moon came out late last year, and despite not getting around to writing about it, I have been enjoying the lush and soothing laidback grooves from the Bromide frontman ever since. Bromide’s writing, both in terms of the musical arrangements and the storytelling in these nine songs has a calming influence allowing you to listen and disappear into your own cocoon, while the world around you could disintegrate without you giving it a second thought.
Can’t Put YourArms Around a Memory is an interesting reference point for the opening song The Waiting Room, as Bromide reflects on his past, of coming across his younger self in Leicester Square and giving some sage advice. The riff reflecting the Johnny Thunders classic is a perfect starting point, paying tribute to the Thunders anthem, without becoming a pastiche and making it very personal through the lyrics.
The album is packed with a timeless charm that envelops you in a comforting sense of wellbeing, the laidback rhythms somehow both tranquillising and revitalising at once. You only have to listen to the abundant beguiling seduction of the albums highlight The Skehan Song as he absolutely has you captivated by the seemingly mundane story of an open mic night on a Wednesday night, giving away another of his influences with the mention of Nick Drake (who incidentally also gets a mention in Not That Type, immediately following The Skeham Song). The addition of delicately elysian backing vocals from Julie Anne McCambridge adds another welcome layer to this cracking track.
The most upbeat song on the album is Chinua Achebe a wonderfully joyous celebration of the Things Fall Apart novelist while The Argument has a subdued Mariachi/Mexican feel with its added atmospheric trumpet (courtesy of virtuoso Terry Edwards) and Spanish guitars.
As the album reaches its close you are treated to the pairing of the album’s title track Following the Moon, and penultimate song Reflections of Seating borrow from 1960s psychedelia, the latter of the two has an utterly gorgeous affecting melody and idyllic guitar parts complete with references to Bowie in the lyrics ”what if the Starman doesn’t come down?”
Julie Anne McCambridge returns again to provide a perfect foil to Bromide’s vocal on the album’s touching closer, which hears him take on William Blake’s Earth’s Answer with an assured aplomb leaving you glowing from a peaceful sense of calm as the album reaches its conclusion.