S J Denney is a singer-songwriter and musician based in Essex, bringing his own brand of pop-rock to the masses with his EP, The Moods That Follow. The EP was originally released in October of this year, but it’s only recently that I’ve managed to discover it – I’m pleased I did though, as it shows a fantastic musician with great talent.
By Jane Howkins
The track opens up with The Art of the Possible, which is something of a slow burner at first. The track opens with a pretty fingerpicked guitar melody, set to a steady tempo. The strings that appear later on are absolutely gorgeous to behold, adding something a little different to the genre. Denney’s vocals are smooth and soulful, with a sense of clarity present that is sometimes missed in modern music.
A Silent Scream has a slightly more positive feel, although the beat is a little different, sounding almost like a waltz at times. Whilst it sounds somewhat like a typical pop-rock song at first, the track diverges greatly when the flute section is added, making it all seem very unique! The guitars have that classic jangle pop sound, working well with the rest of the music.
I Don’t Know If This Changes Things introduces a pretty piano melody to Denney’s sound, trickling along in lovely style in the background. The song changes slightly on the chorus, turning the main chord sequence into something a little darker, which I loved. There are several layers of guitars in the mix – the lower guitars have more of a spaghetti western vibe, which suits the rest of the music surprisingly well!
In The Dying Light is the final number on the EP, also introducing some Eastern music into the mix. A sitar and what sounds like a tabla are played here, changing Denney’s sound up completely. It’s a welcome change though, showing an artist capable of writing for multiple styles – which is certainly something to be applauded! The track sees Denney altering his vocals to fit the differing sound of the track, sounding epic throughout!
The Moods That Follow is a fantastic EP, perfect for those who like their pop-rock a little different to the norm. Seeing S J Denney change the tone of the EP completely on the last track is fantastic – the experimentation has certainly paid off!
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