Hello Stranger takes effective if uncomplicated pop rock melodies from the 70s and 80s and turns them on their head. With lyricism that’s seemingly continually strange and cryptic, reminding me of a young Anthony Kiedis, there’s a strange poignancy that begins to shine over the record in totality. But what remains front and centre of Hello Stranger is a commitment to the effortlessly melodic, the basic and addictive tunes that any listener will find something deliciously addictive to sink themselves into.
Opening with the ever so pleasurable ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’, I felt drawn in to the song that even thematically draws you in. It’s the perfect opener, having me, a fan of classic rock, feeling eerily nostalgic and compelled to explore what Crawford has in store for his listeners. The rest of the record doesn’t really disappoint either. The storytelling is always a pleasure to go through, Crawford quite vividly painting entire worlds and soundscapes with his strange and fantastical lyricism. The quaint and quirky ‘Do You Believe Me Now?’ is a beautifully mellow easy listen that leaves you feeling entirely at ease.
Zachary Crawford’s niche is not just in his ever so evocative and descriptive lyricism that borders on something out of a Lewis Carrol novel, but also in the ever so pleasurable and mellow arrangements he places these stories within. A light and easy listen that’s bound t o have moments of surprise and eccentricity for you to perk up to.