After being confronted with a challenging mental health diagnosis at the age of 23 that came up after an ill-fated period living on a kibbutz in Israel, Simon Taylor took to songwriting as an outlet and a therapy for himself. More than a decade later, Taylor has fashioned himself into a talented and well experienced artist who combines elements of pop, jazz, funk, rock, and folk together into songs that are deeply emotive and evocative. ‘Survival’ is a soft record. It’s a meditative, introspective, and contemplative piece of minimal folk rock. With some songs only really having a piano backing them, Simon Taylor finds his niche through using poetic lyricism sung with measured substance and feeling.
Bad Times Are Through and Survival form some of the most mournful and sombre pieces of soft rock in recent memory. Others like ‘Our Crazy Dream’ are more keenly optimistic and warm. Despite the softness and sombre melody, there’s a hint of light beneath it all. It’s a love song that’s meant for the one you care the most, the kind of special understanding that’s had in silence and in darkness. The way Taylor so expressively sings ‘I love our crazy dream’ is just filled with emotion that you can’t help but think about the one you love.
This Newcastle based artist is one for anyone who likes their music a bit on the softer side, for those looking for something a little bit more sombre and introspective, for those wanting something more intimate, vulnerable, and expressive.