Taking his cues from the past and with a vision towards the future, David Ward has created a portal to the spiritual, the dirty, the beautiful and the raw on his second solo album, Golden Future Time. Following up on 2012’s celebrated EP trilogy, The Arrival, he has readied a textured brew of the cosmic and earthy; a sonic exploration of the muse combining electronica, R&B, funk, art-rock, disco and cabaret...

The first thing that strikes you about David Ward is what an incredible voice he has. Over the course of this album's 7 songs (28 min) he appears to channel Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, while retaining his own unique style. His range is so diverse that you'll be forgiven for thinking each song is delivered by a different singer.

'Slowly Through the Night' opens the album, and is probably the most instantly accessible track. There's a hint of Keene in amongst 'Ghost In The Woods'. 'Be There' sounds like the sort of love song you'd get in a musical, but stripped down to just Ward's voice and a piano. You'd be forgiven for thinking you were listening to an old Stevie Wonder song on the album's title track 'Golden Future Time'. The album closes with 'Fly' a funky, track that will stick in your head long after the music has finished.

As Ward touches on so many genres and seemingly changes his vocal range from song to song, it's very hard to pick a personal favourite... but if pushed, I'd have to say 'Be There' as it showcases his vocal range probably more than any other track on the album.

This is one of those album's that you'll play to death and still dig out every now and then for years to come. Probably the best musical investment you'll make this month.

9

Nick Smithson