Azu - The Fall

**** 

Really nice EP to chill and relax to in the sun!

A nice guy called Azu gave me this CD after I saw him support Matt Cardle at the Oxford, o2 Academy 2. Azu seems to be a nice friendly chap and this comes across in his music even though some of the songs are about heart ache and break up's. I have to say who could possible want to break this man's heart because when I saw him play he can't stop smiling. The CD comes in a cardboard sleeve with an amazing totally black CD that looks more like a record, so looks really good.

The EP verges from Singer / Songwriter material to Pop and even World music and this is because Azu even uses traditional African instruments in some of his songs. I think Azu would appeal to fans of the Lighthouse Family, Tracy Chapman, Mike Dignam and Martin Newnham, The first song on the EP 'The Fall' is one of these heart break songs, which starts off with these African instruments before the song hits in with his distinctive vocals and attitude. This song floats around link a leaf in the breeze and the songs flows really well and grows on you the more you listen to it.

It sounds in a way like a song I have heard recently by another singer but for the life of me can't think who it was. But Azu has most definitely got his own style and mixes everything up nicely in what could only be World Folk. The second track 'Catchprase' has a slightly different feel to it, but also hits home with it's contents. It's a simple melody but needs nothing more and is a short magical piece of music. 'The Playback' blends in nicely to the EP and is a happy song with sad undertones that is really enjoyable to listen to and shows of Azu's vocals very well as you realise a smile is now on your face to. In some of the lyrical content on this EP I get the impression that Azu has been away from home and family and friends and misses them a great deal. It's nice how he can put this in music, so when they hear it they feel close to him again. I am sure they listen to this EP every time they miss him.

Last song 'Hands' continues on these themes and is a great closing number and maybe even the best track on the EP even though I like 'The Fall' a lot, I think this might be his most commercial song and would have the widest appeal. Azu is a really talented singer and I would love to see him working with other people and trying different things out. I just get worried that he seems too nice and the music industry is a hard place to succeed. So he needs to get the determination and get out their and plug his music and chatting to people at the merchandise booth is a good start. If your going away on holiday this year, I advise you to buy the EP and listen to it on the way because it is really nice and it will be a nice soundtrack to your Summer.

Review by Dan Devour 

Listen! to his Amy Winehouse cover of 'Love is a losing Game' Below...