Richard Hawley – In This City They Call You Love (2024)

Hawley's latest album appeared in the HMV sale, so I snapped it up a couple of weeks ago.

No longer naming his albums after sites in his native Sheffield, I can certainly confirm from how I was addressed as a barman and post office worker by men and women alike, while a student in Sheffield, that In This City They Call You Love was certainly accurate at the start of the 1980s.

On this album, Hawley has kept things short and sweet - a dozen songs in just over 40 minutes, and most of them are great. From the opener, the powerful Two For His Heels, through the simple message of Have Love, the jaunty sixties sound of Prism In Jeans, and the slower Heavy Rain, there's an engaging feel of top quality songwriting, skilfully arranged, and knowing when to stop. For me, the highpoint comes with the moving love song to Sheffield, People, which delivers the album its name.

After this, Hawley and I part company for a bit, as his country and western side is displayed on Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow, and I also struggle with the minimal Deep Waters, but these are separated by the livelier Deep Space.

I'll Never Get Over You, similarly doesn't resonate with me, but the lovely lounge jazz feel of Do I Really Need To Know? puts a smile on my face, despite the sad nature of the song. Of the final two songs, When The Lights Go Out is a straightforward pop song, before This Night, a classic and lovely ballad to end an album with.

This is a great album, even if some of the songs aren't to my personal tastes. I feel the first half of the album suits my listening tastes better, but the second half is still enjoyable.

Link to album tracks

4* - a splendid collection of songs, with something for everyone (well, perhaps not death metal fans).