Age Pryor Releases Invisible Lines (Album Review)

Age Pryor releases a new collection that feels like music made Level 4 lockdown: reflective, hopeful and ultimately uplifting. His first solo album in 14 years, Invisible Lines offers superbly delicate vocal tracks and a rich range of influences: alt folk, jazz and pure pop. And even a little rap.

In a recent interview with 13^th Floor, Age spoke of the album’s origins and how, as driving force behind the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, he had “kind of become ukulele guy”. He didn’t want to be burdened with that label and felt it was time for a return to his own original work.

There is a delight and honesty about these songs. The opening guitar strum of Catherine Wheel sets the tone, offering space for the lyric “When you smile it opens up my heart / Under the shining field of stars”. These are words that in a different register might sound trite. Here, however, they are gifted a sincerity with the beauty of the writer’s vocals.

Age speaks of the album’s title referencing the invisible connections between people. This theme is borne out in song titles like Let Go or Hold. As the collection progresses, we are treated to the jaunty rhythm of Backbone then Try, a centrepiece of sorts in which guest rapper Mary May offers lines like “stand up to fear with courage”.

In, at times, a gorgeous falsetto Pryor’s vocalisations at times is reminiscent of City and Colour, Graeme Gash from Waves or Neil Finn’s higher octave moments.

One instrument stands out on occasions: drums. Sure enough, it’s our nation’s finest practitioner, Chris O’Connor (Phoenix Foundation). In a guesting role, he adds layers to what are almost exclusively Pryor’s own instrumentation.

There is a completeness about this album, arising perhaps from its long gestation. The songs immediately feel that they belong together. This compatibility is reinforced by two of them being reprised later in the sequence, reflecting what has clearly been a deeply considered creative process.

Following the beautiful Close Your Eyes and Dream with its barely discernible vocalising, the title track Invisible Lines is a standout. It’s almost whispered, delicate lyrics tell the listener “these days I got to take it slow” and with this slowing down there is a noticing of “invisible lines /connecting all things”.

This album has been many years in the making. Right now, as we all slow down, it feels like it was made for these times.

Robin Kearns

Follow Age Pryor: WEBSITE   YOUTUBE   SPOTIFY   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM