The debut album from Liam Gonen - Expiration Date: has found its way onto my review list today. Liam released his first single Judas back in 2022, and while there may be a bit of a vibe shift to the melody with Expiration Date: from his previous work, his unique vocal style and lyrical work are still prominent on this latest release.
Opening the album with Lost (one of my favourites from this release), I find myself wanting to sit and stare out of a window on a rainy day with a cup of tea and enjoy the melancholy - in a good way. I’m a fan of the slow but melodic guitar, the mellow backing track is soothing, and Liam’s vocals on this track at their best.
Further down the line, I find myself appreciating the juxtaposition of upbeat music with much more downcast lyrics. This is highlighted on tracks like Hopeless and Take Me There. The beats on Expiration Date: could be called simple, but they fit well with the style and are a strong driving force behind the tracks. The more I hear of them the more I enjoy them.
One track that caught my attention early was Break Me, which was first released as a single last year. I’m pleased to see it feature on the album. It’s a strong track for Liam, the faster tempo and driving beat combined with Liam’s lyrics make this a great Halloween choice. Whilst being a shift from the rest of the album, it’s a standout track.
In all fairness, Expiration Date: isn’t in my usual genre wheelhouse. However, I found it to be a pleasant introduction. I’ll be very interested to see what’s next for Liam and how his style develops on future releases. Expiration Date: is available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music now.
Liam Gonen is an independent Indie, Alternative Pop, Hip-Hop, Alternative Rock, and R&B artist extraordinaire who exploded onto the Dunedin, NZ music scene in late 2022 with his first release Judas. Since then he has released 3 other singles and most recently his debut EP: Expiration Date:.
Expiration Date: released on all platforms on the 26th of April, 2024, and has received positive reviews all across the board from both fans and journalists alike! Expiration Date: is an EP that delivers something that you wouldn’t normally expect. Each of the songs in the EP has its own uniqueness that makes the whole collection unpredictable. Gonen’s craftsmanship and talent were properly showcased through the effortless blend that he has done in genre and styles. It is catchy, it is soulful, and most especially, each song was crafted with utmost authenticity from the undeniable flare of passion from the artist.
For those of you who haven't given Liam Gonen a listen, I implore you to by simply searching "Liam Gonen" on your preferred streaming platform and get ready for an experience you won't forget!