Andrew Masseurs - Album Review: Traveller In The Sky
Andrew Masseurs’ new album Traveller In The Sky is so good I almost want him to pull a U2-type stunt and add it to everyone’s playlists for free (no just kidding, you need to buy it so Masseurs gets rewarded for his efforts).
Masseurs has always had a tremendous voice, but it wasn’t quite matched entirely by his material or production choices on his debut album. But that criticism is now well and truly a thing of the past. Traveller In The Sky showcases an artist who has hit his straps and he's not looking back. Masseurs is in epic form throughout - vocally, musically and in terms of production. The pace of the album is excellent, the musicianship is on point, and the songs are tremendous.
Please, please radio programmers add this content to your playlists and let’s see this artist become a household name.
Set Me Free blows out the cobwebs from the start. This is a cathartic number which would definitely be my anthem if I were to return to my teenage-hood, but even as 40 (mumble) something it's life-affirming. The vocals are soaring and powerful and the control of dynamics is masterful. Crazy In Love has real commercial appeal, and I mean that in the best way possible. Everyone Wants To Be Your Love is an ear tickler with its interesting panning sound at the beginning.
The album as a whole is gritty, masculine, and powerful. Masseurs has produced it himself and done a brilliant job. He’s made judicious choices, shown great taste, and ensured that there are no dead spots here. Every track is on point and the collection as a whole is consistently excellent.
Congratulations are most certainly due to Masseurs for hitting a true sweet spot with Traveller In The Sky – the worthy end result of years of honing his craft. Bravo.
About Andrew Masseurs
Andrew was lead singer for the New Zealand band Ammp. Creating an album From The Back of The Sun, with 9 singles and EP This Chaotic Symphony. Andrew was in the 2005 TV2 Play It Strange Documentary Songstar with Mathew Powell featuring their song All I Wanted. Ammp received NZ on Air grants for songs All I Wanted and Ironman and a NZ on Air rebate for Go for Radio Play. Ironman was part of the New Zealand Olympic Challenge official Play It Strange CD 2011. Ammp's song Go was synced in a Vodafone TV Advert and the song Don’t Leave Me Here was in the TV Series Go Girls. Ammp’s songs Let The Sunlight In, Sgt Mayhem and Rabid Creature made the semi finals of the International Songwriting Competition 2011, 2013.
Andrew has ventured out to create his own Pop/Rock tunes that are creative, adventurous and personal. Playing all instruments and also mixing his own tunes it is a journey of growth and learning. Andrews first solo album Origins was released in 2018. With 8 singles released to radio. Deep Sunrise from the album made the Semi Finals of the International Songwriting Competition 2018. Andrew has now released his follow up album Traveller in the Sky. Andrew's songs from the new album made the Semi Finals of The Unsigned Competition 2018 (Set Me Free) and the International Songwriting Competition 2018 (Everyone Wants To Be Your Love and Days They Come Days They Go). Some comments so far... "some of his best work yet" Jacquie Walters, Muzic.net.nz and " could easily be a household name before the end of 2019" Jussrussradio "With Origins, he proved his versatility as an artist, but with Set Me Free, he proved the heights of his talent" AnRFactory.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Andrew Masseurs
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