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Album Thoughts

Kevin Garrett’s debut album, Hoax, is a beautiful, smooth collection of songs. His succulent vocals are moulded around heavy synths and a bassline to create a calming atmosphere.

I discovered Kevin Garrett through his backing vocalist “Thirdstory” promoting his album. They were absolutely stoked to be a part of this album. This is masterful production, with thought-provoking stories sung back to you.

The storytelling in this album is second to none, with every word chosen for real purpose. For example, “It Don’t Bother Me At All” cleverly describes the feeling of being hurt and numb, yet trying to hide it from the person who caused it. From the very first chord of the piano, with its haunting production, you’re immediately drawn into the song.  His lyrics, coupled with the subtle yet powerful production of a submarine tracker in the background, create a sense of being lost yet searching for something. It’s a clever and effective use of sound to convey the song’s message.

Some songs are a bit repetitive, like “Smoke”. It’s an incredibly cinematic song, perfect for a movie scene where the hero is fleeing from his troubles. However, while the last minute is beautiful, it feels a bit drawn out. The synths and piano are all stunning. I just get a bit bored.

On the other hand, I’ll never get bored of the song “Title Track”. It’s one of the most poetic and evocative songs I’ve heard in ages! The first lyrics paint such a vivid picture i can see it: “Pour me another drink / Reaching for the change in my pocket / Spittin’ up blood in the sink.”  This verse is so memorable and every line is a striking juxtaposition that immediately grabs your attention. 

His melody on “Title Track” is divine, a persistent earworm that lingers in your mind for days. His falsetto truly shines in this song, and the layering of his vocals over “Thirdstory” singing “It’s only if you feel? / It’s only if you feel my pain? / It’s only if you fall / It’s only if you fall my way” – the bridge Kevin originally sang – makes you feel every ounce of his pain. It’s like you’re sitting in his head, listening to these lyrics race around his mind, haunting him with his suffering.

I personally believe Kevin has a unique gift for songwriting. His music has a calming effect, helping listeners articulate feelings and heartaches they never knew they could express. He subtly shifted the album’s sound towards the middle, adding a soulful depth to the mix. This change brings more colour to the bassline and reinstates that classic hip-hop snare, effectively breaking up the album. Despite its melodic nature, it never feels monotonous.

The closing song “Like We Used To” truly captures his voice’s tone and perfectly concludes this deeply emotive album. The subtle background ad libs and the beautifully personal piano playing leave me feeling profoundly calm and at peace.

Final thoughts: if you’re seeking a well produced album with captivating melodic storytelling to soothe your soul after a stressful or emotional day, make sure to listen to this album!

Track List

1. Warn
2. Faith You Might
3. Running From
4. It Don’t Bother Me At All
5. Smoke
6. Title Track
7. How Dare We Fall
8. Just Because
9. Telescopes
10. Love You Less
11. Don’t Rush
12. In Case I Don’t Feel
13. Like We Used To