What is the one thing in 2020 we didn’t know we needed? That would be the return of the Scottish noughties goddess, Amy Macdonald. Following the release of her greatest hits album Woman of the World in 2018, she is back with her fifth studio album, The Human Demands.
Because of her radio silence since 2018, Macdonald’s announcement caused excitement around the world, and the global pandemic has not prevented her from creating a brilliant album. In August, she released the lead single of the album, titled The Hudson. It was the perfect song to kiss goodbye to summer, and welcome autumn into our lives. The catchy guitar riff frames the whole song and has us reaching for our tights and corduroy pinafores. The country/pop balance is fantastic, illustrating that Macdonald has by no means lost her spark.
Fire tells the story of a young romance, through firework-like melodies. The vocals carry the lyrics perfectly, taking a timid voice and broadcasting it enough to depict the lyrics’ true meanings. The title track The Human Demands transports us away to the live gigs we are all waiting for. The lyrics discuss confronting the basic necessities of human needs, such as love, human touch, and all in all, a connection with someone. The song could not have come at a better time, where we all miss these sorts of interactions. With the ever-changing world, this song is a passport to better memories and better times. The arena ballad is taking us to festivals in the park, to a time where you could meet up with all of your friends at once in the pub.
The album itself is a soundtrack to life, facing the challenges of life head-on. With Amy Macdonald breaking into the music industry aged just 20, this album illustrates the tapestry of ups and downs that life can throw at you. As we are nearing the end of the year, this concept blends the album perfectly into an autumnal album.
The contrasting songs are a reason that this album really does shine. While the tracks have an overall similarity and branding to them, they all feature a unique quirk that sets them apart from the rest. Young Fire, Old Flame is almost a parting song, with folk and country roots. The recurring guitar gives the track a feeling of homecoming, which perfectly mirrors the lyrics. The soft vocals contrast to those heard in The Human Demands, developing a personal progression through the music. Statues is far more upbeat and nostalgic, depicting the feeling of coming back to something that hasn’t aged.
Crazy Shade of Blue is possible the most musically beautiful track on the album. A soft drum beat compliments her voice perfectly, building just enough to create a heartfelt impact in the chorus. The interweaving guitar melodies create the perfect magical base for the story that is about to be told. The track rises and falls, like the beat of a heart, ricocheting off of her lyrics.
This album certainly has us all reaching for our scarves lost in the back of our wardrobes, alongside forgotten photo albums. There is no denying that The Human Demands is a fantastic album, and the perfect kiss goodbye to the horrors of 2020. This album tells a story: the way the notes and melodies intertwine takes us on a journey through life. The rise and fall of the tracks mirror the rise and fall of life itself. There is a perfect balance of power and vulnerability expressed throughout the ten tracks, and it is safe to say that Amy Macdonald has blown us away with her impeccable talent and way with words. There is no denying that she has an incredible level of talent, and as 2020 comes to a close, we fall in love with Amy Macdonald once more.
