Will Hanson CD Review: Folking Cool

With songs about serial killers and creepy crawlies Will Hanson’s debut album Hope On Top is a rather ghoulish affair. A heady cocktail of romance, horror and sci-fi sound effects, listening to this record is like stepping on to the set of a 1950s B movie.

Hanson, who used to front London-based indie band Proxy, mixes traditional elements of folk with infectious, foot-tapping pop. Born in Paris, he honed his musical talents performing in coffee shops around Glasgow.

Hope On Top is a beautiful yet sinister album which flits between lush baroque arrangements, delicate acoustic guitar and eerie background music. The track Girlfriend Materials sees Hanson take on the role of a murderer who attempts to create the perfect woman by killing strippers for their body parts. Once his task is complete he names her “Phoebe”. Yikes.

Whilst on tour Hanson regularly appears on stage backed by a full string quartet. This unique part of his live performance can also be heard on this record, which is heavily layered with musical saws, glockenspiels and harmonicas.

Hanson is a wonderful songwriter; his haunting lyrics capture your imagination and conjure up gothic images reminiscent of scenes from classic American horror movies. The record’s opening track Watching You Fade is a particularly atmospheric song which sees Hanson bellow “So wrap me up in fairy lights and throw me to the moths!” as he recalls a bitter breakup with his sweetheart.

It’s tricky to pigeonhole Will Hanson or compare him to anyone else. His ethereal and passionate music stretches a number of genres including folk, indie, country and pop. Based between Glasgow, London and New York, Hanson is still a relatively underground performer but with a successful UK and US tour under his belt, it’s only a matter of time before even more music fans roll up for a Will Hanson fright night.