Album Review: Passenger – Songs For The Drunk And Brokenhearted (Nettwerk)

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When did British singer songwriters start crooning away in such high voices and funny accents? Does it go back as far as the bards with their lutes, or the Bee Gees, or that other guy who I’d rather not say for fear of getting that song stuck in my head who used to drive tanks?

Passenger is of the same ilk and is friends with Ed S. He has friends and influences in high places.

If you know Passenger’s back story you’ll probably know he funded recordings through busking, grew a fanatic following, got Australia in touch with it’s sensitive side… and a fucking tornatious dude all round. Worth a look around on youtube.

1,273,326,906 listens to the hit single “Let Her Go” on the Spotify and 6.15 million Youtube subscribers suggest he can pull a crowd.

Passenger (real name Mike Rosenberg) recorded the LP pre-coronavirus at his Black Crow Studios in his hometown of Brighton shortly after becoming newly single.

On the first listen through Songs For The Drunk and Brokenhearted.I thought the music didn’t fit the name at all really. There were no edges or angst. I envisioned something a little more stripped back and raw.

This was well rounded, polished, pop-folk. Kinda like heartache on prozac..

On second listen nothing really jumped out.

Sword from the Stone – is reminiscent of a previous hit, possibly the same chords.

Worth it if you are one of the millions of people who clearly love this guy’s music.

Dave Kane

Click here to watch the 13th Floor interview with Passenger.

Marty Duda
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