I like a bit of variety. Whether it is breakfast cereal or music, I like a bit of variety. Lobepine also seems to like a bit of variety and he duly throws all sorts of pop conventionalities into the five songs that make up his EP “He’s Here.”
His approach is valid one and, although much that you hear will sound familiar, he manages to walk that fine line between drowning in musical influences and showing a respect for the many and myriad sounds that make any musician what he is. His vocal delivery edges towards the laconic yet this parallels his lyrics with expressed sentiments that seem to fall into that square peg in a round hole scenario so beloved of today’s wordsmiths as they look behind themselves for redemption. Much is made of loops and synthesiser swoops to remind you that this is today and not yesterday but that can hardly be regarded as a fault when the artistic intent has been clearly established.
Some say the street ain’t what it used to be and some might well be right in saying that as the ghosts of punk, hip hop and protest have long been relocated to the musical festivals of the summer season. Maybe Lobepine will end up on that gravy train or maybe he will just continue to plough his own furrow, as they say, as I for one, hope that he does as there will always be room for another voice with something to say.