A new tune from Gene Madoc
Photo by Tom Hannigan
Gene Madoc from Cardiff debuts on the blog with the luminous, brooding and evocative psychedelic folk track “This Might Be the Start.”
“This Might Be the Start” is a track that feels like it was released in the 1960s or early 1970s rather than the present day. It’s not psychedelia in the sense of swirling effects and sonic experimentation, but rather in the way it moves you with sweeping melodies, dramatic arrangements, emotional depth and a sense of heightened reality. It immediately brings to mind for me Lucio Battisti, who, unless you’re Italian, you might not be aware of. He was a major influence on acts like Amen Corner and The Hollies… and if you give his album Amore e non amore a listen you will see why. Gene Madoc captures that same swagger and pure groove, the same tightness and crispness, while at the same time retaining a beautiful cinematic looseness. It is simply majestic.
“This Might Be the Start” teeters between calmness and tension whilst never losing its grand cinematic melancholy. Every element serves the emotional intensity of the song, and throughout, the instruments play off one another with a deeply stirring and rousing intensity. Whether it’s the rippling, shimmering acoustic guitars, the heavy, almost suffocating bass, the inevitable push of the drums, or the gorgeous, vivid lead guitar that brings to mind Nick McCabe of The Verve… every element feels purposeful.
Madoc’s vocal has an unusual timbre, moving effortlessly between directness and vulnerability, painting an emotional arc with a sincerity that I can only describe as genuine and heartfelt. I enjoyed this one so much that I went straight to his debut album Revelation’s Dog and added it to my library.
On the lyrics that explore love, vulnerability, reinvention, and taking a leap into an uncertain future, Madoc elaborates: “There’s something torturous about the combination of desire and hope, especially when thrown in with all the uncertainty that defines the early days of anything meaningful. This feels like the song that has brought my sentimental streak and cynical streak together under one roof”
The song is a welcome blast of fresh air because it embraces something increasingly rare… sincerity. Rather than hiding behind cool detachment, Gene Madoc delivers a song built on sweeping melodies and the timeless power of a beautifully crafted composition. “This Might Be the Start” is taken from the forthcoming album slated for release in November.