Adam Wedd’s album title, “pop goes the indie kid,” serves as a fitting prelude to the auditory journey that unfolds by dropping the virtual needle onto this digital record. In the realm of genre crossovers, true magic occurs when an artist adeptly amalgamates the finest attributes of each, and in this case, Wedd has indeed crafted something exceptional.
“fomo” (yeah, he’s not big on capitalisation when it comes to his song titles), the opening track, introduces the sonic landscape adeptly, oscillating between understated yet buoyant pop and the more urgent swagger of indie, a dynamic that sets the tone for the album. “homesick,” the ensuing track, elevates this fusion to even loftier heights. It deftly navigates between subdued troughs and soaring crests, fashioning a wonderfully anthemic resonance that has become Wedd’s trademark modus operandi.
“party (like the first time)” ventures sightly into contemporary dance territory, but rather than conforming to the mainstream club’s cookie-cutter electro offerings, it synthesises dance music with the power of rock. This results in a perfect harmony of melody and muscle, grit and groove. “different” is….well, exactly that, a neat change of pace, a piano and vocal ballad. A sonic sorbet and palette cleanser allowing the listener a small breathing space before the big finish? No, because “ok”, the final offer of this quintet of modern alt-pop, is also a thing of understatement and soul searching.
However, the final two songs, in contrast to the preceding tracks, showcase a different facet of Adam Wedd’s artistry. In these concluding compositions, Wedd defies conventional track selection norms and surprises the listener with a distinct tonal shift. He demonstrates that his artistry isn’t confined to meeting expectations but is also capable of soul-searching and contemplative moments.
Or, put another way, Adam Wedd, come for the poised pop power, stay for the beautiful balladry.
