It’s great to see Paul Claxton’s musical journey come to fruition. Following up on previous single ‘Left Haunting You’, which we featured on Mesmerized, the English troubadour and musician has now unveiled a brand new album, kind of out of the blue, a surprise that’s truly welcome from our part. ‘To Whom It May Concern’ is a striking showcase of musicianship and artistic inspiration, coming from an artist who has been around the block for a while, performing for crowds around the UK and US alongside big names and celebrated stars.
Based in Liverpool, Claxton could be considered a musical sponge, given that he’s absorbed such a wide array of influences and styles. He’s seen it all, so to speak, but that doesn’t mean that his output is derivative or nostalgic. ‘To Whom It May Concern’ is evidence of how fresh Paul’s songwriting flair still is. The album is relevant and eclectic, taking Claxton through a variety of references. From the pop-rock of ‘Left Haunting You’, to the psychedelic tinges of ‘Broken, Battered & Bruised’, passing through the acoustic elegance of ‘What It’s Like to Lose Someone’ and ‘Sausalito’.
There’s something for everyone in it, but most importantly, it’s an aural flow that works: the energy rises and lowers with gusto, the music has space to breathe and develop, and there are no trends or mainstream tokens in sight. This is all Paul Claxton’s personal artistry doing its thing, distilling decades of craft and experience into a digestible, tender album. What’s not to like?
Recommended! Discover ‘To Whom It May Concern’ now: