If there’s something you can count on when it comes to Will Linley, it’s an abundance of pop hooks you just can’t get out of your head. His long-awaited EP Magic is packed with earwormy bangers which are as heartfelt as they are bred to boogie to, and you’ll find a faves in there somewhere, trust me.
Keeping the good things coming after a rollercoaster two years of back to back successes – and a Rocking the Daisies slot booked in this weekend – Magic comes as polished, honed and effervescent follow up to his sad-boy-go-lucky debut kill all my feelings. Firstly, it’s expertly polished – while Linley maintains his sad-pop persona – secondly, it’s fresh AF.
The title track also dropped with a slick, snappy, Abongwe L. Booi directed visual treatment and the chiming, propulsive long song, dripping in hopeful adoration, feels even better alongside Linley in a flower-filled trolley belting out feel-good sentiments.
Punchy guitar riffage bulks out the one-night mystery girl narrative on “Last Call”, echoed in the thumping rhythm of undecided lovers on “Maybe”. Then Linley flexes his vocal prowess with the stripped-back, sentimental balladry of “On Paper”.
Floaty synth licks elevate “Gracie”, which comes as perhaps his most striking track, caught up in the unapologetic daydream of his future wife, before “Tough (The Girls Song)” wraps things up with trademark sad-boy-boogie energy, leaving the ringing silence begging for more.
Feature pic supplied by artist
