Tim Chadwick – Pulverise (2024)
Some of the most inspired moments come from the most mundane situations – doing the laundry, sitting in traffic, mowing the lawn, and lest we forget those “shower thoughts”. For singer-songwriter Tim Chadwick, it was an old blender that inspired his upcoming debut album Pulverise.
“One of the modes on an old blender was labelled ‘pulverise’. It just looked and sounded so incredibly dramatic, over-the-top and final… it’s kind of funny that we throw all these individually beautiful things inside this machine and then completely annihilate them in order to make something new… destruction as a means to create and renew. So, while the album deals with topics of love, longing and internal struggle – it in turn delves into the idea of what comes from all this destruction.” Tim Chadwick on Pulverise
Grand, fantastic, but who the hell is Tim Chadwick? If you are like me, this is your introduction to the Irish Prince of Alt-pop, and although we’re quite late to the party the fact is we’re at the party. Known for his eclecticism, innovation and originality, Chadwick garners a loyal following nationally and beyond his Irish borders. From sold-out tours and support for artists Lyra and Mabel, being chosen as the Irish Music Week 2023 Artist, having his music used on television shows like Made In Chelsea, and working with renowned producers like David Davis (Frank Ocean) and Jackson Dimiglio-Wood (Shawn Mendes), Chadwick turns heads to critical acclaim. Join us as we delve into the album, Pulverise.
Following his well-received single ‘Call Me When The Coast Is Clear’, Chadwick’s Pulverise is a ten-track exploration of his boundary-pushing sound. While noted as a pop artist, compared to Troye Sivan and Roisin, Chadwick dabs at various genres creating a melting pot of diversity within each of the tracks. From the funk-tinged ‘IOU’ where Chadwick breaks out his groovy vibes to dream-pop ‘Hey Gay Boy’, a shiver of blues lilting through ‘Falling Apart’ and soulful ‘Pity Party’, each single has an individual identity but mingles in a harmonic symphony… like the blender.
While ultimately a song of love, loss, and the complexities of broken relationships, each track adds another intricate facet to the overall theme of heartbreak. Opening with a funk-filled bang, he brings us the immediate punch in the gut when you realise things are falling apart. As the songs progress, Chadwick brings pain, confusion, frustration, inner turmoil, conflict, despair and tragedy. Wistful and lost in a haze by ‘Hey Gay Boy’ and ‘Falling Apart’, the overwhelming sense of loss and yearning take hold; however, while the album has us falling into a black hole, the final song closes things with an empowering, hopeful melody. Just like the final result of a smoothie in that blender.
Each track is unique with a specific flavour to it similar to each fruit you place in the blender; however, it is ‘Pulverise’ that won my heart. While it is penned for modern audiences, a hint of vintage folk-rock oozes from the melody in its simplistic piano-driven sound. Chadwick’s rich vocals add clarity to the track, and the horns at the end bring an elegant flair. A light at the end of an emotional tunnel, Chadwick leaves us with a hopeful smile.
Produced by Sean Behan, mixed by Dareen Heelis, and mastered by Emerson Mancini, Pulverise is a sophisticated rush of elegant music with a lingering rawness wafting through the lyricism and Chadwick’s vocals. Pulverise is set for release on August 9th, but you can listen to ‘Call Me When The Cost Is Clear’ on his Spotify:
Find out more about Tim Chadwick on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
Discover more pop singles on The Other Side Reviews Pop playlist:
