Beyond the golden cast Iron Gate, is situated an expressive and deep lake full of musical magic and melodic histories. When you slip open the card case of Freedom Twenty Eight you will discover a gem of an album by internationally renowned musician Jayson Norris. Norris brings his work back home for a personal and profound collection of songs. Freedom Twenty Eight is a commanding and enthralling album that showcases Norris’ immense talent as singer and songwriter.

‘Freedom to Live’ was the first release from album. This heartfelt and peaceful song reveals the husky and weathered voice of Norris. ‘Freedom to Live’ is both soothing and haunting with a circulating wisdom throughout. ‘Questions’ is a soulful search for the answers to the big questions in life. The song sketches the world in the mess of reality. In the third track ‘Song,’ the guitar has its own voice. Each string and each strum moves beyond just melodies into something much more multi-faceted.

The latest single ‘Window’ is appropriately a summery, pop-folk song. A very simplistic, light and easy song, ‘Window’ embodies a lazy summer afternoon. Reggae makes its feature in ‘Time and Time Again’ a track with all the assiduousness of a reggae tale. The extended song moves into an instrumental exhibition, which lets the reggae roll free, and turns rockier and heavier in its conclusion. ‘Time and Time Again’ makes a second appearance at the closing of the album in an acoustic reincarnation. The acoustic version of this song is amazing in a completely different way to the preceding funk version. The acoustic scene that is set in the latter version has a poignancy that is haunting.

‘Love Someone’ is a song that cries out to be heard and enjoyed. Featuring another talented Jason (Kerrison from OpShop) on background vocals the song is a precise blend of goodness and harmony and is a real highlight of the album. ‘Make it Right’ works in a bluesy groove that is full of solitude and heartache. This is followed by the pop-rock song ‘The End.’ ‘Magic Words’ effortlessly creates a detailed scene with an atmosphere that makes it feel so close and familiar.

The album’s later tracks are the meaningful ‘Superhero’ which digs into the sorrows of everyday and reaches up beyond the tribulations, towards one’s hopes and one’s dreams. ‘Save Me’ is the kind of song that not many artists could pull off. But the earnestness in Norris’ vocals is to be marvelled, and this track is captivating because of its desperation.

Freedom Twenty Eight is what all singer/songwriters aspire to create. Norris’s work has lead to this sincere piece of work that allows the yearning tones of his restful yet grainy vocals to lead the listener through a vivid path of life experiences and all of the wisdom that has been gained. This is an undoubtedly fantastic listen for the ears, but even more so Freedom Twenty Eight is beauty for the soul.

-Janise.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  The Boondocks
• 8
  Late to Chelsea
• 9
  Springloader
• 10
  Baconfoot

• 
  Nadia Reid @ Loons, Lyttelton - 16/11/2024
• 
  Pull Down The Sun @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Elidi @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Infinity Ritual @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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