Wesley - “Sugar Free”
The mood of “Sugar Free,” by Wesley, is intriguing. It leans heavily on the past, exuding a feel of the early 1970s… but also has a nice contemporary vibe to it. It makes me think of a leisurely stroll through a tranquil glade, a blissful paradise that serves as a wonderful deterrent to the Devil.
The feel of the music brings to mind the style of song that sits on John Martyn's album, Solid Air. It is like a modern “Go Down Easy.” A quiet opening of guitar, cello, and keys steadily builds until bursting into a laid-back shuffle that keeps the song's easy flow until its conclusion. Cool vocals are used to add to the warm and dreamy vibe. The backing vocal support on the main sections brings the song a feel of real depth due to the healthy dose of reverb. Once more, I can only compare it texture to John Martyn's vocal style and the lyrics are just as poetic The bass has a really good, vintage warmth. It chugs along with the melody and punches through the mix in all the right places. The song is exquisitely coloured by the electric guitar in just the odd part to add extra texture. The electric piano solo has an unusual sound, which adds a truly beautiful respite. I also appreciate that this music takes its time transitioning from one segment to the next. It isn’t in a rush to evolve; it moves leisurely.
“Sugar Free” comes from Wesley’s album, Glows in the Dark, and is available everywhere you get your music.