Andrew Fox (link), using the artist moniker VISUALS, has released a new album entitled “Light Breaks.” (Bandcamp LP link.) The sparkling, funky, cool collection of songs are poised to invade your ears and get your fingers tapping. Then take you slow for moments of chill clarity.
Fox has evolved with his look, presentation and musical styles over recent years. Check out “Shock by Shock.”) All of the journey has been quality. VISUALS harkens to a funk / pop / experimental vibe for much of “Light Breaks.” The set is infused with rememberances and recalled remnants of records from the 70’s and 80’s.
The title track is stellar. A total 70’s vibe with an arrangement bringing up memories of the band Hot Chocolate (You Sexy Thing) and Elvin Bishop (Fooled Around And Fell In Love.) VISUALS takes time to set the mood, melody, and magic. Lyrically the tune is a reflective piece on moving on from life’s failures — seeing the light of dawn as new hope.
Andrew Fox is a musician and songwriter out of New York. Outside of NYC, he’s also spent stints in Berlin and Paris, and in his music, the energy of the Berliner techno scene and that romantic Parisian charm are nearly as present as the Brooklyn indie aesthetic that surrounded him when he was coming into his own in the mid-2000s.
https://www.greymatter.fm/community/episode-5-andrew-fox-visuals
“Delivery Man” is a cool venture with driving synth playfulness and soulful vocal resonance. There’s a lot going on but it comes at you smooth and breezy like a Saturday afternoon in Central Park in the summer. Then it builds to pull you out into the night and the disco dance floor.
Speaking of dancing, “Only Now” is certainly geared that direction. VISUALS loves tinkering with production and this tune uses plenty of effects to compliment the low register of Fox (sounding in the track something like Phillip Oakley of The Human League, in the best possible way.) Compare it to an earlier version here. (See the video debut article here.)
“Babylon” was released as a single over a year ago. Fox had a different look then as the official video shows. The song fits right in with his new direction on this LP though. Nice baseline and some swirling moments of synth ecstasy.
“Light Breaks” likes to take it slow in parts too. “Paris, Berlin” wafts in and out like a European travelogue filtered through cheesecloth. “Lifted,” the second track, let’s you know right away that slow and funky are coming in equal measure.
Here, Fox talks at length about the inspiration behind the track “Ocean.”
She (Carol Kaye) is the archetype of the cool bass player, dare I say with a feminine touch, buoyancy and uncomplicated self confidence. She is a thread that connects much of the primary influences on my songs. If I have managed to do Carol any justice on “Ocean,” or through this essay, it would be a small payment on the debt all musicians owe her. Thank you, Carol Kaye! —Andrew Fox
https://www.talkhouse.com/reference-library-how-bass-genius-carol-kaye-inspired-visuals-ocean/
“Human Evolution” is an understated but addictive groove that ends the LP. Fox going lower on the vocals and dishing out a casual cool that recalls Roxy Music’s Love Is The Drug.
The sum of all its parts is a record that vibes in various speeds but understands the worlds each kind of vibe inhabits.
Now seems like a great time to get to know Fox. He’s having fun with the direction of his persona in VISUALS. He’s embracing elements he clearly loves. He’s a talented song writer, producer and performer. “Light Breaks” is a sweet showcase of his latest evolution.
LINK: http://visualsmusic.com/
VISUALS is the music of Andrew Fox, a songwriter, producer and interdisciplinary artist from New York City. Fox has performed as VISUALS around the globe, starting in 2013 with the eponymous EP on Nicolas Jaar’s Other People label. A student of psychedelic rock, soul, and electronica, Fox has constantly evolved his sound over the years, while staying rooted in a surrealistic and cinematic take on songwriting.
https://visualsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/light-breaks
UNCLE EARS is a music blog written by David Falk. davidrfalk@gmail.com David was born in 1962 and gravitates towards melodies, adventure, unsigned artists, fresh discoveries. He trusts his ear to know what it likes and loves sharing what he finds. He lives near Seattle, WA, USA.
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