Lo Noom - Groovy

Lo Noom

Groovy
self-released; 2015

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

On the Bandcamp page for Andrew Newman aka Lo Noom it says, “I make music that sounds cool to me.” That short, blunt statement is hard to argue with no matter what kind of music the artist is making. The sentiment in those words is verified in the music on his album Groovy. Newman is confident in his songwriting and it’s obvious within the delivery that he is enjoying what he is doing.

Let's back up a moment. Newman is seventeen years and not only wrote all the songs but did the recording, mixing and mastering. After listening to Groovy Newman can consider himself as part of the 1% club of artists this young who have this kind of creative maturity, production skill and aesthetic complexity to pull off an album like this.

Newman has a very pleasing singing voice that is smooth, dynamic and easy to enjoy. There is little to complain about in terms of his vocal delivery, Musically, Newman also shows tremendous skill. He mixes dubstep and electro pop and ends up sounding comparable to acts like How To Dress Well, James Blake, Twin Shadow and The Weeknd to name a few.

There are too many good songs to mention so let's take a look at the highlights. The opener “Dreary” combines multiple disparate synths that mix to make a unique canvas of sound. It’s funky but subtle and Newman breaks into a falsetto, which ends up being his secret weapon throughout most of the album.

Newman veers into melancholy dubstep style R&B on “Chill Deville” and “Jacquelie Suite” which will unequivocally get him some female fans. You might miss some of the magic on “See You Shortly” if you don’t have headphones on. The delayed bell sound combine with guitars and well mixed drums.

All right so he splices up Sufjan Stevens on “Moonlightville” but completely uses it in his own way. I’m sure Mr. Stevens would approve. He closes with a stellar song entitled “Bird’s Eye View.” The music sounded similar to “Like Spinning Plates” by Radiohead with the backward effect but more upbeat and with a catchy vocal melody.

If there ever was a truth is saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” this is it. His unassuming bio between not being old enough to vote and working in his bedroom does not equate to a finished product of this caliber. Some people have “it” and other people don’t. Whatever “it” is Newman has. Cheers to a future in music young man.

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