Indie Light

Luke Westaway is a YouTuber, composer and musician based in London. A former editor at both CNET and Outside Xtra, he has recently transitioned to focusing full time on his YouTube channel, and producing his own music. Related to that last point, we’ve covered Westaway before on Indie Light, and you can click here to read more. Today, though, I’ll be reviewing his album ‘Basically Afloat’ which was released October 12th 2019.

‘Oh No’ kicks things off with vocals, I was very complimentary to his vocals in the previous review, and he’s continued to develop, the piano chords building around his vocals, a light percussive element is incorporated and then a building energy forms, creating a fast paced and frenzied melody that builds to a midpoint anticlimax before continuing on with a more subdued melodic pace. It’s a really clever opening track that’s once again very honest and just engaging. 

‘Running Down the Clock Until Bedtime’ has a nice percussive beat that builds slowly before exploding forward, Luke’s voice matching it, the highs and lows, ups and downs, creating a nice internal balance to the track that really works well. I had already listened to Luke’s music fairly regularly prior to sitting down to write these reviews, but I try to avoid critically analysing music when I’m not actively trying to do so, which made this difficult as the songs were familiar but looking at it critically I see talent and passion, coming straight from his previous release, the review of which is linked above, I see clear continuation of style and intent, but development over the year or so between releases. The result are strong entries like this which make me excited to see him continue to develop as a musician. 

‘Seasons’ has a nice progressive, building piano melody, supporting by a light drum fill, and more awesome vocals, I cannot speak highly of his voice, it already has a solid melodic edge to it, but what’s most impressive is his honest and expressive delivery, it really sells the whole performance. I really loved the vocals, but man, the instrumental backing is honestly amazing, it has the right energy to balance and match Luke’s vocals but also independently just works really well. 

‘Yeah I’m on Top of My Whatsapps’ hammers forward with a high energy, and percussive forward performance, a nice solid interlude that builds and creates energy with a punchy and vibrant melody. 

‘My Organs Never Signed Up for This!’ slows things down, rich and emotive melody, with a light percussive beat just woven beneath the deep, and halting piano chords. I mentioned in my review of his previous album that I’m drawn to the softer, slower, and sadder tracks, and to steer once again into that stereotype, I have to say that this track snags the top slot as my personal favourite on the album, because it’s a powerful, weight and atmospheric number that is just superb. 

‘Hustle’ subverts expectation, by starting of with some more soft and beautiful piano chords, before exploding forward in a ferocious and hammering percussive beat, and yet despite the juxtaposition of energy and melody, Luke still manages to make it a track that’s uniquely him, just quirky and nice. Like Punk but polite if I had to give it a name. It’s incredibly good, and locks this track in for the number 2 slot for my personal highlights on the album. 

‘Don’t Wait Until 2016 to Try Therapy’ opens with acoustic guitar, the melody rich and harmonious, being allowed to build before the vocals merge in, and when it does they both compliment each other really well. I think this track especially gives you a look into Luke, it’s honest and doesn’t distract from the message too much, instead the melody bolsters the performance, but fundamentally it’s just an authentic anecdote about seeking positive change in your mental health. Having struggled with my own demons, my own compulsions, it’s incredibly rewarding and validating to hear someone, especially someone with Luke’s position, in a media role, with lots of attention discuss the importance of taking care of themselves. 

‘Mental Health Is Less Grim If You Pretend It’s Old Boats’ as a lover of nautical life, and as mentioned above, someone for whom mental health has been a struggle, this track especially speaks to me. Plus with the inclusion of Johnny Chiodini, who I might remind you is everyone else in the world, it’s an automatic win for me. The energetic accordion and the faux sea shanty melody is high energy and brings things back up again, warm music, positivity and a nice melody. I feel incredibly privileged that my own life choices have led to me writing for this site, because I get to review music like this, that’s fun and silly and yet it’s earnest in its message about finding help. 

‘C’est la Moon’ slows things down again, slower and more lingering piano notes build, and perhaps the purest and most poignant vocals of the entire album wash over you as Luke performs. Compared to some of the other tracks this one is relatively stripped back in terms of overall melody and yet that lends it greater significance as it just hits really nicely, I especially like the counterpoint between the first and second half of the track, the higher and more energetic sections balancing out the softer ones quite well.

So that’s what I thought of Luke Westaway’s album ‘Basically Afloat’ and if you want to check that out for yourself then head on over to Spotify. While you’re at it, make sure and support the artist by checking out their website and by following them on Twitter and Instagram.