Yusuf Azak - Turn On The Long Wire
- Written by Kenneth McMurtrie
Much has been made elsewhere of Yusuf Azak's slightly wheezing vocal delivery, but anyone familiar with the work of Nick Drake is well catered for here and the singing sounds more "normal" than a lot of the autotuned trash that's on the market today. Song number two on his new record Turn on the Long Wire, 'Time To Kill', actually brings to mind Ian Brown (albeit if he suddenly went all folky).
Being unfamiliar with Azak's earlier output is no barrier to enjoying this record, as each of the nine tracks is effortlessly accessible. Generally they're upbeat and awash with strings with the odd quirky sampled noise popping up now and again. His guitarplaying is of a very high quality as well, so the only thing that presents itself as a negative in the scope of the whole endeavour is the product's overall length – just as you're lulled beyond the workaday cares afflicting your over-taxed mind by the lush vibes on offer it all comes to an end.
As no song particularly stands apart from any of the others a 12 song album would have been even more welcome and well worth holding out for on the part of his Song, By Toad records in order to achieve greater effect. As it is the running length of just under half an hour means you need to make use of that repeat button and this review manages to run out of steam somewhat shy of the normal word count for what is purportedly a full-length release. Definitely one of the brighter stars to make it out of Glasgow this year though.
