The first thing you notice when listening to Mark McGowan is the power and timbre of his neo-Soul voice. A voice that keeps one ear firmly in working class Glasgow, yet transports the other to the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 60’s. McGowan’s intricate picking style and storytelling developed from an early age and became the tools for him to express himself. Documented best here in title track ‘Fugazi‘ tells the story of an absent father. The EP builds on the excitement caused by the release ofMcGowan’s debut single last year, the AA-side ‘Bonnie & Clyde’/’Colour of Surrender’, which earned him some prestigious international blog attention as well as a cult following on Glasgow’s thriving independent scene, leading to him gaining status as a headline act in the city.
The ‘Fugazi’ EP brings a diverse collection of influence to the table, with Barne Society producer Marco Rea (who has worked with BMX Bandits & Emeli Sande), creating a contemporary texture as the backdrop to McGowan’s tales of outlaw’s, regret, revenge and romance. Tracks ‘Lighthouse‘ and ‘Fugazi‘ display the essence of Mark McGowan’s style with their bittersweet images being painted over circular picking patterns. McGowan also displays his dark humour sounding like Otis Redding doing Johnny Cash in the rockabilly hoe down that is ‘Sunday Best’. For those seeking substance in popular music, here’s Mark McGowan.
‘Fugazi’ EP out via In Black Records, May 13th 2016.
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