Def.fo - Eternity

It’s all a bit much this time of year, isn’t it? Whether it’s the hangover from the pre-Christmas partying/stress, the lingering indulgence or loneliness of the holiday season itself or the desolate, bleak comedown which we’re now enduring (otherwise known as ‘January’).

Come then and let Tom Powell (AKA def.fo) take you away from it all. His debut album Eternity comes dripping in heritage (produced alongside his father Steve, who can list John Power and The Strands amongst his credits) with guest appearances from the legendary Michael Head (Shack, The Pale Fountains) and keys by Chris Geddes from Belle & Sebastian. Throw in Roy Marchant (M.I.A.) on mixing and Howie Weinberg (Gorillaz, Ian Brown, Super Furry Animals) on mastering and you’ve got a mixing pot to delve into.

And delving is a must, for Powell has created a psychedelic trip from sun-kissed, windswept beaches to the inner reaches of the mind. We are dropped in mid-song on opener ‘Free’, a swirling whirlpool of a track (think early Tame Impala) which has a sweet chorus but with guitars playing a different song in a different dimension, yet it works.

Then a stylistic volte-face (the first of many) on the bluesy, swaggering Circles, which glistens and sparkles and Richard Hawley-esque strings and guitar. ‘Play It Cool’ follows, all clanging cymbals and rolling riffs, a successful fusion of garage rock and dream pop.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/2024/01/review-def-fo-eternity/