The Andrew Hartshorn Project - No Birthday Cake

​The Andrew Hartshorn Project

No Birthday Cake
self-released; 2026

By ​Dino DiMuro ​
​

Andrew Hartshorn is an English electronica-neo classical artist who also runs the Monochome Motif label featuring himself and other indies, and you can spot his releases by the cool "Framed Artwork" motif of his covers. On his new album No Birthday Cake he collaborates on seven tracks with a number of indie artists from around the globe: USA, UK, Spain and Poland. 

One of Hartshorn's more notable collaborators is label-mate and vocalist John Serrano of Spain. Full disclosure: I've been following Serrano's solo work for years and he's even sung for me! Hartshorn and Serrano most recently created the single "Retail Reverie" which was reviewed here on Pitch Perfect. Also appearing are composer Ed Givens (Hassellian horns), Gary Alesbrook (brass), Richard Davies (sax), Abel Boquera (Hammond organ) and Maciek Szczyciński (double bass). Hartshorn says he created the original piano parts, guide vocals and beats before passing the tracks to his crew for "guided improvisations." Hartshorn then added synth and orchestral overdubs (something he does for other artists as well) with final mixing and mastering by Adam Whittaker at Deluxe Mixing.

The musical and emotional beats are very similar to vocalist Serrano's solo work, a sound that feels like a cross between free-floating jazz and bossa nova. Hartshorn says the songs may appeal to fans of David Sylvian, later Talk Talk, The Blue Nile & The Cinematic Orchestra. Serrano has said that singing these lyrics of grief and loss was a bit trying for him. The album is available in most formats including download, streaming, CD and vinyl.

"Preparation" is an instrumental showcase for Edward Givens on Hassellian horns. We've reviewed the amazing ambient-classical work of Givens on this site, and this track seems tailor-made for his sound. The title track "No Birthday Cake" features John Serrano (vocals/guitar), Gary Alesbrook (trumpet/flugelhorn) and Maciek Szczyciński (double bass). It's a mellow, languid track with striking trumpet phases and deep standup bass lines, perfectly illustrating the sad lyrics about turning 30 in the wake of a terrible loss. It starts good and only gets better, as multiple horns fill the soundscape at the conclusion. "An Old Photograph" is a more upbeat take on the previous song's style and arrangement, with Serrano crooning with deep, velvet tones. One thing I like is that Hartshorn designs his tracks to "start over" in the middle, so that after a pause you can take in what you've just heard with slight changes and a deeper understanding. 

"Three Little Words" is the second instrumental, this time focused on the banks of brass by Alesbrook and jazzy, close-up drum patterns. "Those You Left Behind" has a funky bossa nova beat, with a heartfelt Serrano vocal ("Sometimes your best, it's just not enough") and Shaft-like strings. The brass has been replaced by the saxophone of Richard Davies, and he will continue from here to the end. His sound is traditionally sax-like but also similar to a clarinet.  "A Life Too Short For Words" has no words but is a nice playground for both Davies on sax and Abel Boquera on Hammond organ, plus an unexpected and adept harmonica solo by Serrano (though I think he also plays the amazing classical guitar section). "The Dance Is Over" is an insistent, film-noir style farewell with plaintive sax, galloping skins and a final soulful vocal by Serrano. 

Andrew Hartshorn is a name that should be somewhere within your indie music library, and if not, this is an excellent starting point. Highly recommended!

andrewhartshorn.carrd.co

andrewhartshorn.bandcamp.com

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