The sophomore album from Paul Andrews, From the Distance entrances with its melodic vein of sophisti-pop and dance. There’s ample versatility amongst the tracks; “Words to Sorrow” and “Borrowed Time” evoke an ’80s charm reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys and Prefab Sprout, whereas “Versailles” pursues a rock-forward path and “Reach the Stars” resonates with a funky, woodwind-laden infectiousness. In particular, “Borrowed Time” engages with pulsing dance-friendly keys and underlying strings, delivering an especially hooky vocal lead in the title-referencing refrain. “Borrowed Time” is one of many melodic gems throughout From the Distance.
Following up his debut album, Light and Dust, Andrews’ foray into From the Distance took place during the initial quarantine, after he had relocated from New York to Pennsylvania. “The deeper we went into the pandemic, the more I didn’t want to remember the sad aspects of it,” Andrews says. “I decided to save the slower songs for a different project—and concentrated on songs that had a beat, that kept me moving, moving forward.”
Stream From the Distance below:
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This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of February 2022’ Spotify playlist.
