Few things could ever bring such joy and satisfaction as to observe an artist who is not only a musician, but a creator of connections between people as well. Nick Cody has already proved himself to be one of those artists by being a consistent presence in the UK independent scene due to his great capacity to create lyrics that feel like old friends, familiar but always surprising. Being a founder of Green Eyed Records, Nick Cody managed to transform his company into a creative place of “creativity through collaboration.” It is not surprising then that Nick Cody’s latest album, “Sweet Songs & Bitter Truths,” comes out as a defining moment of his career. It is not an album itself; it is an intricate emotional space that should be thoroughly explored. It is time to lift the veil off this amazing album.
The album kicks off with “We Are The Many,” and it gets straight to the point right away; it starts off with the sound of strumming strings and an insistent beat, and mouth percussion, which seems like it represents the quickening heartbeat of the group coming together. The theme itself is a bold and raw reaction to the way things work on the planet, making a clear distinction between those who bear the brunt of the decision-making process and those who pull the strings behind the scenes. The character in the song doesn’t hesitate that he’s in a group that outnumbers the hateful people. The music itself is raw and communal in nature, as if you were listening to the folk song come right out of the soil itself.
Next comes “The World’s Richest Man,” which comes into being through a soft and reflective guitar pluck, before the voice takes hold of the space. This song is a brilliant illustration of irony, and it explores the very essence of money and its uselessness in reality. It is a bitter lesson that is presented through the medium of sweet melody, making the audience realize the real meaning of life when all the worldly noise stops. Musically, it’s quite stripped down, and the mouth percussion was very captivating. It is just music without anything else in it, but at the same time, it creates an impact on the listener in such a way that it seems as if it were meant for him alone.
Moving from “The Leonard Cohen Vibe” intro to the song, one notices an intentionally created smoky arrangement and violin, which fully conveys the essence of the song’s title. In fact, it can be said that “The Leonard Cohen Vibe” is a meta-song about writing songs in general and about how difficult it is to write your own song under the shadow of famous authors. This issue is described by the author using a humorous tone of self-reference. Musically speaking, there are many layers of vocal harmony in the composition that create feelings of nostalgia and reverence.
The song “Another Thin White Duke” opens with an abrupt inhalation of breath and guitar, which transitions into a musical pulse. This piece of music is a homage to a close friend whose soul resides in the heavens. “Another Thin White Duke” is about how delicate life can be and how someone who lives with some “mischievous magic” leaves his or her imprint on our world forever. The composition of this music is exquisite as well; the sound of the violin grounds the melody and prevents it from drifting off into sadness completely.
Once the famous melody of “Pancho & Lefty” kicks in, it does not sound like a cover song but rather an extension of the story that has been told through mythology. Cody removes the dust from the original song by presenting it with acoustic minimalism that shows the grace and sadness in the song. The vocals seem conversational and soft, as if Cody is sharing his secrets about the mythical ghost. The use of the guitar in rhythm with the cello makes the atmosphere seem like that of a wanderer in a story of folklore music.
The album ends with the song “Say You Will,” and it begins with a calm ambiance, an underlying suspense that gradually builds up, just like the hesitation and longing conveyed in the lyrics. The character in the song gives everyone a middle finger, daring them to say what they will about something he’s doing because, no matter what happens, he will do it anyway. The courage portrayed by the character in this song is admirable because, at the end of the day, if you do it, people will talk, and if you don’t do it, people will talk. Choosing this route, if not caring about anyone else’s opinion, is the best way to handle the situation. “Say You Will” is an incredible piece of music with an intensely emotional climax in which the singing is pure and naked, letting out all of the emotion. The music is filled with a delicate passion that puts the listener in a trance-like condition, as if everything happens at that instant of clarity just before taking that leap of faith.
*Songs Sweet & Bitter Truths* emerges as a powerful, crystallized mirror to the broken world around us and reflects the tense beat of the present with uncanny clarity. Instead of just singing about the world as it is, Cody examines it by providing the sweet balance of our common humanity and the “bitter” truths that govern the way we live our lives now. Each song is a remarkable lesson in storytelling that acts as a conduit between intense personal introspection and the collective weariness that we are all struggling through right now. Listening to this album becomes an odyssey of the heart that I feel fortunate to have embarked upon. It is a rare thing to be made to feel like you’ve been seen and heard in today’s music, and if this album is anything to go by, I can’t wait for his next installment to see where he takes us from here.
Stream the “Sweet Songs & Bitter Truth” album on Spotify.
Follow Nick Cody and The Heartache here and on their socials: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
