#SRCZ Music Review // A Life Unlike Yours – Ali Ingle
An E.P. from Ali Ingle is
always a treat. His last two have impressed and the same is expected of A Life
Unlike Yours. Even before listening, our reliable sources hinted at something
life affirming. As the singer says on the release, everyone’s a fool for the
unknown...
The unknown is nothing to
be sneezed at though, it has to be said. Just as mystery makes life more
interesting, so does a cushion embroidered with the titular EP make for a
mysterious entré to the world of Ali Ingle. On lead single The Locker, Ingle
tells us just what he isn’t, (a go to someone, selfish woman and any number of
things as the lyrics have it) but on A Life Unlike Yours he tells us what he
is.
Over four tracks of
folktronica infused vignettes that feel like fuzzy snapshots from a grainy but
still very relevant old movie, the storytelling quality of his music shoes
through perfectly. By the time closer I Won’t Be There comes it feels like a very
personal journey indeed. There are some choice moments along the way, opener A
Life Unlike Yours bobs along in the most bittersweet but distinctly listenable
manner while Yours Alone slows the pace to the poetic but perfectly sparse .
The aforementioned The
Locker is a highlight, packing a lyrical punch that doesn’t quite hit you, more
wag it’s finger at your pointedly until you decide to take the metaphorical
advice of the chorus to clean out your locker. Following his excellent previous
releases
The Man & The Monster and Magic in the Mundane with even more
excellence is, as saying goes, the best way.
Oh, and maybe we’ll
finally get an answer as to whether Robots Dream of Christmas as well? Whatever
the outcome, this E.P. is as good an answer an any!
(S. Gahan)
