John Tibbits gives us an album for our times with his debut, Music is Life.

By Graeme Smith

A singer songwriter, John grew up in South Birmingham among a family of musicians. He started writing his own songs at fourteen. Inspirations include Frank Turner, Enter Shikari, Arcane Root, Laura Marling, and Radiohead.

That might sound like an array of different artistic styles, but it all makes sense when you hear his debut album Music is Life. It contains eight track that blend folk and rock with experimental and alternative aspects, typified by album opener Disordered Thinking. We get plenty of instrumental texture to back up John’s visceral storytelling in his lyrics and at once we know we’re going to get something that stands out from the crowd.

Thematically, the album touches on an array of weighty topics, including body dysmorphia, demagoguery, climate change and a love for music. It feels very much an album for our current, uneasy times. Political moments like the folksy longing of Current Climate and the raw and driving Trumped Up are matched by more personal moments like the soul-searching of No Heaven Here and the ruminations of Testament to Will.

Progress mixes darkness with bombast during a moment that powerfully holds up a mirror to our world. Legacy is passionately cathartic while title track Music Is Life closes the album in lingering style with elements of blues mixed in with its stirring acoustic rock.

John Tibbits is a true artist, releasing music simply because it has a powerful need to be released. His ambitions in terms of audience are low, but I think he’ll be pleasantly surprised by how his debut album is received. He has a lot to say across its eight tracks, and his folk rock sound has a universal appeal.

Music Is Life is out now and you can give it a listen below.