From the initial moments of “Alone in the Morning Alley,” the musical odyssey we are about to embark on, presented by Hemi Hemingway (the artistic pseudonym of Shaun Blackwell), becomes palpably apparent. The strum of ‘60s twang reverberates, instantly transporting listeners to an evocative landscape. As the music surrounds you, a journey commences through the dimly lit recesses of an underground dive bar, where tendrils of cigarette smoke intertwine. Amidst this atmospheric haze, a solitary figure emerges center stage – the woeful troubadour himself. Hemingway’s debut album, Strangers Again, unfolds like an intimate conversation, capturing hearts from the first chord.
The opening lines of Strangers Again encapsulate the sentiment of an old confidant sharing stories anew: “If I think about it, I dunno, I’d say solitude is a curse, but then again, so is love.”
Hemi Hemingway is a showman in the grandest troubadour traditions. Across this debut, he embodies that rock ‘n’ roll charisma and takes us on the journey of a starry-eyed dreamer grappling with the jolt of confronting destiny head-on and seeking their place amidst the tumultuous chaos of existence. Strangers Again navigates a sonic spectrum that transitions seamlessly between soul-stirring ballads, exemplified by the steamy allure of “Dreamin’ of You,” and tracks such as “Green Envy,” eliciting an intoxicating rhythmic sway. The infusion of digital instrumentals, notably on “January Lake #3,” imparts a captivating blend of nostalgia and timelessness to the album’s fabric.
Beyond the heart-strung melodies of Hemi Hemingway’s persona lies a profound artistic depth. Sung bilingually in both Māori and English and birthed from the diverse locales of London and New Zealand, Strangers Again acquires a textured narrative that echoes the urban tensions and divergent identities of these two landscapes.
Interwoven within the album’s melodies are themes of love, loss, and the ceaseless expedition to rediscover one’s origins. Hemingway’s magnetic presence serves as the linchpin of the album’s emotional tapestry, crafting a poignant tableau of an artist fully immersed in the human experience. Best savoured in its entirety, Strangers Again resonates as an orchestration of life’s age-old ballads. Unquestionably, it merits Qobuzissime status – an accolade bestowed upon a truly remarkable musical creation.