Aoife Prendergast

Album Review

Hudson Taylor Singing For Strangers

Dublin born brothers Harry and Alfie Hudson-Taylor had a popular
YouTube channel from 2008, identifying
themselves simply as Harry and Alfie.
Having grown up with musical parents and
both clearly having been born with musical
talent of their own the two naturally
started busking at a young age. They
started their fold-duo in 2011 and named themselves Hudson Taylor. They
released their EPs Battles, Cinematic Lifestyle, and Osea before being signed
by Polydor Records. The label may have noticed their amazing talents when
Battles reached number 1 in the Irish charts and 14 in the UK. In the past two
years Hudson Taylor have really started the ball rolling in their career, supporting
major artists such as Jake Bugg, Kodaline, and most significantly the Rolling
stones in Hyde Park.
Their album Singing for Strangers was released with Polydor on the 16 th
of January 2015 in Ireland and the UK. Its twelve original tracks (plus six bonus
tracks) flow together in a folksy, yet uniquely modern fashion. It begins with the
relatively upbeat Just a Thought which has a lively, clapped rhythm. Next is the
contrasting Butterflies holding true to the boys familiar slower, meaningful
song played predominantly acoustically. The third track on the album is another
laid-back, slow paced songs; Chasing Rubies. Seemingly one of their most
popular it is also one of their oldest songs having been first uploaded in 2011.
The album continues in this sequence, sweeping from dreamy, peaceful songs
into bouncy, fast-paced melodies. The final track (Excluding bonus tracks) is Off
the Hook. With lively guitar riffs and flawless, almost chilling harmonies this
track could be a prime example of why Hudson Taylor have been associated with
a Simon and Garfunkel style.
Each track on the album has a meaningful message behind, the most
prominent to me being Dont Tell Me. This is song is about individuality and

staying true to who you are. It is about gay rights

and written personally for the boys sister. The
album was released four months before the Irish
referendum voted gay-marriage to be legal. The
duo proudly took to twitter to announce their new
sister in-law when the results were released.
They also campaigned for the referendums Yes vote by gigging with other artists
such as Gabrielle Aplin. Gabrielle has performed on several occasions with
Hudson Taylor and is in a long-term relationship with Alfie. Several of the songs
are about the equally talented Gabrielle and their relationship.
The songs are all exceptionally well produced by Iain Archer who also cowrote with the boys previously. Each track is clear, with inspirational guitar riffs
and expressive, relatable lyrics. The album can make you dance or cry at various
points and occasionally both. Recorded to perfection it can be tough to believe
that this album could improve when performed live but let me tell you; it does.
On stage these two young artists are lively and inclusive of their audience. They
tell quick jokes and background stories between songs but dont waste any time.
They are energetic and original as they bounce around the stage.

Singing For Strangers - Tracks:

1. Just a Thought
2. Butterflies

3. Chasing Rubies
4. Night Before the Morning
After
5. World Without You
6. Wildfires
7. Weapons
8. Care
9. Battles
10.Dont Tell Me
11.For the Last Time
12.Off The Hook
13.(Bonus Track) Hideaway
14.(Bonus Track) Drop in The
Ocean
15.(Bonus Track) Holly
16.(Bonus Track) Beautiful
Mistake
17.(Bonus Track) Trouble Town
18.(Bonus Track) The Place I
Called Home