I’m thinking likeable. How many albums can you say that about nowadays? Not many but “I’m Across, I’m Ashore” by Nat Johnson & The Figureheads is most certainly a likeable album. It is easy on the ear and yet has more than its fair share of songs that you might unconsciously hum whilst waiting at the traffic lights of life.
“I Know I’m Good” epitomises that likeability. It doesn’t sound at all forced and, devoid of the forced cuteness that, say, Kate Nash or Liz Green would add to it, it makes it point without actually seeming to try. “Your Majesty” is pretty mush standard up-tempo indie pop but is likewise possessed of a not inconsiderable charm and “A Scottish Song”, whilst somewhat derivative, just left me feeling all warm and woolly.
Straying stylistically, “Body, No” draws more from mainstream Americana than indie pop but, hey, it works so on to the star turns like the laconic “Making Movies” where Ms Johnson’s perfect diction and polite delivery combine into something endearing yet simultaneously quirky. That’s not an easy thing to pull off.
Nat Johnson & The Figureheads have done well here. There are songs to sing along with and there are songs to think about and they are all made with just enough sugar to make them palatable to anyone with a palate that appreciates quality.