Tim Eveleigh breaks into song, like one should. It’s the version of an open diary that only connects on a lyrical level but has swinging numbers and a core melody behind it. Not many can write the way this songwriter does – for he leans into what makes him unique. Carrying that true essence of South London in his songs – his observations and effects tailor the tunes to a precise degree. No two weavers make the same piece of fabric. This is his latest album release, Life Is Not a Competition.
Maybe it’s that raw recording sound that will get you. Opening with Assist, the track bounces with spoken word energy. It’s almost like Tim Eveleigh is speaking to you, with interesting grooves building to the chorus. The acoustic strumming, along with the vocal “I was only trying to help…”, places stress on the emotion behind the words. Gentle melodies along with guitar and keys come in with Echoes. As the second song, we are beyond the pretext to reach deeper into Tim Eveleigh’s ethos.
From candid confessions to being able to extract an emotional response from simple lyrics, Tim can do a lot with a guitar and a composition in his head. He bounces with each track, using the music almost as a diary. Trespass powers through, having a certain accent which seems like a bluesy affair. With Andy Thornton, Maria Levesley and other talented musicians joining in for tracks, Tim Eveleigh has a compositional depth that is balanced and thought through.
I especially enjoyed Flooded for how it exudes simplicity. It still has an echo of deep thoughts and traverses a lot of distance through minimalism. Strings echo out, and like a marching band beat, you’re able to visualise the lyrics. Tim Eveleigh doesn’t polish the soul out of his music, and it sounds unapologetically human. Through short, sweet tracks, Tim accompanies us outside, brings us inside and converses with us in all honesty.
Jaunty singles like Timeline might offer a spirited break from the softer essence. Tim performs with a storyteller’s conscience. This is why rhythm sections surf like waves, unpredictably. They still invoke that sense of joy and have textures in volumes rather than the even pop computational tracks that you hear on your Spotify algorithm.
The mood shifts with Drowning. With harmonies offering those changes in temperatures – this is folk joy the way it’s supposed to be enjoyed. From Enough to Uniform, I already experienced a different journey through plains and valleys – emotions and observations. Tim is an incredible guide, giving you a spell to memorise and watching from the sidelines. This becomes your experience after a while, and he is just a narrator. Life Is Not a Competition is your place to traverse through when you’re here to share life’s unique experiences:
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Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
