Fabian Holland’s latest track, “Another Monday” is a beautifully crafted folk song and a touching meditation on the experience of early parenthood.
It has been almost five years since the artist released his last solo album – the critically acclaimed ‘A Day Like Tomorrow’ – and he has since moved to Berlin, set up a studio in his basement and started a family. The first single, ‘Another Monday’, is a reflective fireside folk song that tells the true story of the birth of his son.
Atmospheric, droning lap steel with the precision and musicality of a virtuoso
Within the opening moments of the track it’s safe to assume we’re in very capable hands, as Fabian plays an atmospheric, droning lap steel with the precision and musicality of a virtuoso. We’re then subjected to a colourful, jazzy trumpet solo, played by Jake Painter from UK band Captain Ska. It’s an odd pairing, but the playing is so emotive that they perfectly compliment each other. When the verse begins the instrumentation is stripped back to fingerpicked guitar and vocals, which manage to carry most of the song thanks to an effortlessly beautiful performance.
The lyrics are accessible but nicely vulnerable, as the narrators marvels at how his experience relates to rest of the world. He reflects on the stress and pain involved in the pregnancy, while the taxi driver casually talks about the twelve kids he has at home. The chorus drives it home with the refrain “To anybody else it’s just another Monday”.
The artist’s latest album, ‘Under the Red Island Bakery’, was recorded live in one take with no editing, and with playing of this caliber it’s easy to see why they didn’t feel the need to go back for pickups. The performances are raw, emotive and wonderfully technical without being showy and the lyrics sit nicely on top, compelling enough to keep us hooked without overpowering anything. It definitely gets our recommendation, and we suggest you keep an eye out for the album which will be released later this year.
