Album Review: Ned Roberts 'Outside My Mind'

-Harriett

On March 24th, London’s Ned Roberts released his second album Outside My Mind on Aveline Records. This highly anticipated follow-up to his critically acclaimed self-titled debut retains Roberts’ folk sensibilities but displays an unmistakable sophistication.  Relying predominately on acoustic guitar, piano and harmonica, the instrumentation is simple and the melodies beautifully arranged to complement Roberts’ crystal clear vocals and stirring lyrics.  

The ten tracks follow the stages commonly experienced after the end of a romantic relationship and Roberts employs images of water on many of the songs to convey the accompanying emotions. The opening track, “Drifting Down” deals with trying to convince yourself you’re okay as you try to avoid the “rushing waters” of sadness. The familiar stage of being in limbo is artfully relayed in clear, snow-filled images on “Through The Arches.”  (“Wiser eyes in the morning, nights are shaded blue/Why should I let my days go, spiraling out of you.”)  “Ribbon Of Water” concludes that the process of getting over someone follows an unsteady, flowing line  and in “Lights On The River” bittersweet memories begin to get further away. The album concludes with “Outside My Mind”, an ethereal reflection on what it will be like to run into your old love in the future after you have both moved on.        

Listening to Outside My Mind  is akin to spending time at an art gallery for a talented painter’s latest exhibition. Ned Roberts’ words and music paint lovely pictures worth taking time to gaze on and reflect upon. You can find out more about the artist as well as a link to purchase this excellent release HERE     

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