Ed Cosens, singer-songwriter, producer and founding member of Reverend and the Makers, has made his solo debut with his new album ‘Fortune’s Favour‘.
Following 15 years as the guitarist for Reverend and the Makers, Cosens has taken a step out on his own, producing an album of impeccable songwriting and vulnerable, evocative vocals. ‘Fortune’s Favour’ showcases Cosen’s writing and compositional skills through ten guitar-led tracks that range from folk to indie rock. The album bears resemblance to the likes of The Beatles, The Bluetones and The Arctic Monkeys, the latter a band Cousens has previously shared a stage with.
Opening track ‘Running on Empty‘ is large and sweeping. It is led by a guitar melody, but built upon layer by layer with dramatic strings and soaring backing vocals that create an atmosphere of desperation. The lyrics speak of a man at the end of his tether, desperate to know who, or where he can turn to: “I’m running on empty / I’m running on fumes / I’m running on empty / Please, tell me what to do”. The rise and fall of the backing vocals and strings really take the listener through the motions of feeling so stuck in life, with moments of reprieve and clarity giving way to the chaos and noise of a mind in turmoil.
‘Madeleine‘ is a clear standout track, a sexy, hypnotic song with a nostalgia for dusty roads and secret rendezvous: “When I opened the door, I saw your face / Standing before me there, I couldn’t wait / To take you away from here / But I know that you, my dear / Are the poison I always take”. The slide guitar adds a dirty, grungy feel to the song and a drawling, lazy rhythm reminiscent of the feeling of slowly getting drunk – either on love or hard liquor.
Closing track ‘Come on In‘ is a gentle love song, inviting love into a damaged and vulnerable heart: “I want you to come on in / The gathering stormy clouds above / Tell me it’s pouring / Inside my heart”. Adding to the emotions in Cosens’ voice and lyrics, he takes a step back from the microphone. This instantly creates a sense of vulnerability, by making his voice smaller and the noise of the room he’s in much, much bigger. This is a simple but effective moment that proves how important the sonics of a song can be to storytelling. It also shows that songwriting isn’t just about the lyrics or the instruments that are featured on a track, but about how you use them to create feeling and ambience.
An excellent craftsman, Cosens has produced an incredibly assured debut record. He has seamlessly stitched together the folk, rock and Britpop genres together, creating a group of songs that would feel equally at home being strummed by one man and his guitar in the corner of a cosy pub as they would be performed on stage by a full band in front of an audience of thousands.
