Merging some sweet soul vibes with timeless pop, once again Evok creates music that both plays with genres and seems to deftly step between styles, scenes and eras. Like Save Me before it, Faith & Hope’s only real problem is that it might be actually too good to penetrate the mainstream, and I really mean that. In a world where chart position and mass consumption seems to be based around the lowest common denominator appeal, short-lived saccharine rushes and production line repetition of pop templates, it is singles like this that you feel shouldn’t be squandered on such short-sighted pop consumers. Call me an elitist snob if you like, I’ve been called worse. Often by my family. In birthday cards. But I digress.
The main difference between Faith & Hope and the competition is taste. Not a word that you hear in the pop arena that often. Its smooth and seductive delivery is tasteful. Its deft understatement and perfectly cut melodics are tasteful. Its gorgeous vocals are tasteful. Its dynamic lulls and gently rising highs are….well, you get the picture.
Rather than band’s compromising their sound to find chart success, how about the mainstream raises its game so that it welcomes in music that is more than just the run of the mill, dance-routine driven, gimmick led pop pap. Do that and you can have songs as excellent as Faith & Hope every day of the week.
