Sukh is a Manchester-based singer-songwriter known for his introspective and hopeful melodies, blending influences from his medical career and artistic interests — and on his latest album, “Heading East”, he showcases an exploration of love, trust, and the complexities of long-term relationships — keep reading for my thoughts!
Drawing inspiration from artists like Vampire Weekend and Coldplay, Sukh’s sound melds sharp instrumentals with reflective lyrics. The opener to the album, “Kind”, brings a soft, soulful sound that’s held in place rather well by the vocal presentation, while the gentle ensemble in the background forms a solid foundation for “Heading East”. Sukh shines with his ability to place a beautiful narrative with his lyrics and that theme helps hopes high for the rest of the album.
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“For The Road” spruces things up with a faster pacing, and a distinctive sound of hope and optimism in the sound, while the lyrics convey themes of love and togetherness. Sukh makes great use of the pianos in the background to stitch together the melodies, and does so with much charm coming through with his vocal harmonies as well. The song lulls you away into its soft sound, making it one of the standouts on “Heading East”.
The third of the 8-piece album is “Far”, which brings the pace back down, relaxing the listen while at it. Incorporating elements of blues and classic rock, “Far” makes for a smart addition to this album, the relaxed pacing of this song settling you into a trance without much effort at all. The song is brought further full circle by the guitar solo gently accompanied by the pianos, dotting the interludes between verses.
As we reach the midpoint of “Heading East”, we encounter “Conquered” — a warm, welcoming number that makes use of synth pads to fill the atmosphere with a velvety, intimate sound, with the basses keeping the pulse of the song, along with the arpeggiated synths, while the drumming is sparse — but effective and elegant.
At this point, I find it prudent to comment upon the production on “Heading East” — the track makes use of warm, layered instrumentation that enhances the introspective themes, with each element carefully placed to complement the lyrics. The subtle use of synths and electric guitars throughout the album creates a cohesive sound that strikes the balance between the vocals and the rest of the ensemble with a charm that’s worth much praise. Couple this with warm, full-bodied mixes and you have a listen that keeps you engaged from start to finish, unconditionally.
All in all, “Heading East”, by Sukh: The kind of album that charms at every turn, and leaves a warm, satisfied feeling in you from start to end. Take a listen to the album here!
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