Every Kingdom Ben Howard

• 1 Old Pine 05:28
• 2 Diamonds 04:06
• 3 The Wolves 05:09
• 4 Everything 04:45
• 5 Only Love 04:09
• 6 The Fear 04:20
• 7 Keep Your Head Up 04:24
• 8 Black Flies 06:21
• 9 Gracious 04:57
• 10 Promise 06:24
• Total Runtime 50:03

Info for Every Kingdom

He describes himself as a 'keen surfer', and recently gave a series of beachside gigs in aid of keeping Britain's shores 'barefoot-friendly', but if you're about to parkour your way to any conclusions, don't. Ben Howard most certainly isn't the 'UK's answer to Jack Johnson'.

What he is, on the evidence of this impressive debut album, is a gifted and immediately involving singer-songwriter. The 23-year-old from Devon - or 'Devonshire', as his record company rather self-consciously refers to his home county - has pretty diverse musical tastes: he posts videos by artists as disparate as Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin and Robyn on his personal blog. However, it's the music of John Martyn and Bon Iver, both of whom he listens to 'a lot', that has a tangible impact on his sound.

That's right, this fella's a folkie: his musical tools are nimbly-plucked guitar strings, near-choral backing harmonies, percussion that feels pastoral rather than processed, the evocative tones of India Bourne's cello. The term 'folk-pop' rather brings to mind JCB Song one-hit wonders Nizlopi, which Howard's music rather does not, but the lad does have a knack for a hook: with its sing-along chorus and positive sentiments, current single Keep Your Head Up could almost be called a 'self-empowerment anthem'.

Radio-friendly it may be, but there's nothing fey about Howard's folk: his up-tempo numbers have the muscular momentum of a galloping stallion, while his more subdued songs are underpinned by sinewy rhythms and a certain weightiness of theme. For example, the lovely Everything deals with the inevitability of renewal and change, while the slow-building and panoramic Black Flies is essentially a break-up song.

Whether he's singing about love or the world around him, Howard invariably taps the natural world for imagery: this is an album of horses and wolves, the wind and the sea, in which one's relative insignificance in the scheme of things is likened to being 'just a blade in the grass'. But what could seem clichéd on the page has resonance on record, thanks to the husky soulfulness of Howard's voice and the sheer good nature of his songwriting. By the time he uses the album's closing track to ask his paramour 'Who am I to you?', you're really hoping her answer is 'The One'. (Nick Levine, BBC Review)

Ben Howard, vocals & guitar
India Bourne, vocals, cello, keyboards
Chris Bond, vocals, guitar, bass, percussion

Recorded & Producer by Chris Bond
Recorded at Assault And Battery Studios
Recorded at The Premises Studio, London
Mixed at The Motor Museum, Liverpool
Mastered by Robin Schmidt

Ben Howard
(born 24 April 1987) is an English singer-songwriter, born in London. He moved to Totnes, Devon, in his teens. Howard's musically-inclined parents exposed him at a young age to their favourite records from singer-songwriter artists such as Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and John Martyn. Howard began writing his own songs and after a short spell studying journalism, he decided in 2009 at the age of 21 to become a full-time musician. After building up a reputation with his gigs across the UK, Howard was eventually asked to sign to Island Records. His first album, Every Kingdom, was released on October 3, 2011 and debuted at #7 on the UK album chart. He is characterised by his odd way of guitar playing. He has toured with Australian artist Xavier Rudd. From Howard's MySpace 'I was brought up in Totnes, South Devon, neatly nestled between the moors and the sea. I travel lots, surf when I can, probably drink too much, definitely think too much, and at 22 still make irrational choices. I like the outdoors and the Autumn. I’m happiest at home with friends, and my favourite fruit would have to be a pear. Musically I started playing and writing as a kid and it’s maybe the one thing that’s never changed. Mum was a big listener to all the greats- the likes of John Martyn, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan etc so that’s played a big part in my life (Dad was more of a Yes and Pink Floyd man). Our tape collection is pretty good:) More recently I dropped out of University to play music full time and it’s been pretty funny so far. I’ve been really fortunate to support some artists I really admire.. I went to Europe with Xavier Rudd back in December 08, shared a stage with Brett Dennen this spring, and have been playing a few dates around Europe with Fink this summer. So I thought I’d leave it at that really. Keep it short. Really hope you all enjoy the tunes on here.. Much love from Devon, Ben.'

This album contains no booklet.