Out of Sight is an EP with 10 very easy on the ear compositions, with gentle serenading tunes, accompanied by Chris William's velvet vocals that glide on deft orchestral arrangements. You're struck by the clear and crisp tones of the instrumentation, there is piano, a cello, lots of orchestral keys, and they are all compelled forward nicely with modern beats. Every song is very well crafted and it’s a gratifying experience to the ears.
After a dreamy intro the 1st track, No Man’s Land soaks into your senses with a broad flowing layered vocal over the rhythmic musical blend, with a some very nice saxophone that fits beautifully. Hardest Words provides a hauntingly beautiful mix of melody and vocal tones that drift and combine to reach up and soar high into another sphere. There are lovely multiple sax layers on Without You that adds a cool new element to the evocative track.
On the Shore rolls with a cool jazz like piano, then its lifted with a hip beat and swirling keys that raise the tension and then, it falls back nicely into the arms of the gentle rolling piano rhythm. A charming guitar plays through the genial In Her Eyes while Chris William vocal serenades and serenely rides the smooth song in an effortless assembly of musical art.
Overall Mr William’s EP is a superb collection of tunes, that can best be described as a very cool lounge cocktail mix, the songs are modern yet composed with a classic style, and it’s good to hear some style from time to time.
Review written by Andrew Smit
Chris William is a singer-songwriter and bassist from Christchurch.
His songs blend his love of soul, folk and electronic music into swirling soundscapes ripe with emotion and tension. Chords played on the bass collide with stirring vocal harmonies and rich synth textures.
His first EP, Out of Sight, was released in August 2018.