Creatures At Play – Let’s Play Again (2023)
Drawing on the musical prowess of Alex Adamson and Mike Walker, Creatures At Play is one of those bands who get stuck in your head (not literally) and have you singing their songs beneath your breath – or really loud, the preference is yours. Inspired by their mutual love of RnB and soul music, Creatures At Play brings a nostalgic brand of soulful, blues-filled tunes. Then again, it is difficult to fully label their music with hints of dream-pop, indie rock, jazz and folk making an appearance. While the duo have only one release to their name, the debut album Let’s Play Again, the sophistication of their music showcases the lads’ natural skills as artists. Come with me as we jump into this album and swim about in Creatures At Play (once again, not literally).
Let’s Play Again is my introduction to Creatures At Play and the gents who add their solo panache to its ten tracks. Creative and adventurous, Let’s Play Again harnesses Walker’s ability to connect with listeners movingly and Adamson’s eager energy. For me, the most intriguing track to which I connect is ‘Rise’; then again, that’s me and your favourite song may differ.
Quickly bringing a jazz-filled light into our lives, Let’s Play Again opens with the track ‘If You Always Do’. Immediately dragging my ears back to the 1970s jazz sound, there is a classic elegance about the smoky single. A hint of rock breaks through in the dynamic guitar, yet the nostalgia remains. While Creatures At Play presents a raw nostalgic tendency leaning mostly toward the beautiful 1970s era, it is not all yesteryear. In the tracks ‘Home’ and ‘Cold’ you can hear hints of contemporary folk-pop and indie-pop. Moreover, Adamson’s vocals capture the huskiness of retro jazz-rock but have a less old-school and more 21st-century style. Perhaps a neo-soul with indie-rock sensibilities?
As an album, Let’s Play Again is a mystical journey through different musical stylings; however, it is not only musical magic but an emotional journey as well. In addition to musical pursuits, Adamson and Walker believe in giving back to the community by supporting various charities including mental health awareness – Let’s Play Again covers the emotional aspects of remaining grounded, supported and safe in a sonic way.
Inspired by the human experience, each song captures the intricacies of life from difficult relationships to social issues and feelings of vulnerability, fragility, and inner conflict with an overarching message of empowerment. ‘Rise’ pointedly marks how complex, almost damning situations could be damaging but “you can’t keep a good man down”; while ‘Lucky’ uses a heavy jazz-rock sound to pick yourself up, stand tall and face the light at the end of the tunnel.
As I mentioned, ‘Rise’ is a song that resonates with me but ‘Inside’ certainly captures my heart. The lyrics “…where you run while standing still” is only one line but oozes fragility and confusion when you “hide inside”. Hinting at the fast-paced life we live in society and how things rush past us at break-neck speed while we try to continue in the rat race is at the core of reality. Oh, how we wish to break free. In ‘Surely Do’, a glance at self-empowerment and breaking free slithers through the lyrics. Break free, come back from regret and make the change…surely do. ‘On The Money’ grins at leaving the tumultuous challenges behind in its toe-tapping alt-folk way and the final track ‘My Oh My’ is a powerful jazz-rock slice of empowerment, hopefulness and optimism “making a fool of my doubts”.
Rhythmic and harmonic, each track on Let’s Play Again has a kaleidoscopic twirling of guitars, drums and piano expertly fused to touch the heart. Set off on a glistening sonic river, you see the lights glittering in ‘Cold’, feel the warmth within ‘We’ and tap your toes to the delightful ‘On The Money’. Yet, despite the glimmering moonlight reflected off the surface, Creatures At Play makes you feel the ripples of confusion, despair and melancholy vulnerability embedded in each single.
Exploring human fragility and complexity in a bold but delicate swoosh of music, Creatures At Play oscillates between the bright and dark sides of humanity throughout Let’s Play Again. Yet, while the lyricism is significant taking you along a trail of inner conflict, anxiety and desperate confusion, it is the melody that gracefully carries you along in that sonic river. Mellifluous and charming, guitars match soothing drums and the interspersed horns with a signature piano bursting throughout. For me, it is ‘Lucky’ that shines brightest in both melody and lyricism. Rock-inspired guitars travel through with bold rises and falls in a rollercoaster spin as gruff vocals bring a funk-influenced flair to the track.
Bold but demure; confident but subdued; crashing but smooth; energetic but laidback; empowering but fragile – Creatures At Play perfectly represents each feeling, thought and meaning of life in a succinct ten-track swirl of mellifluous chaotic bliss.
For more from Creatures At Play, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
