Hendrick’s Soft Landing doesn’t just settle into its acoustic foundations—it luxuriates in them. The Vancouver duo leans into organic instrumentation with a warmth that feels intimate but never insular, crafting a collection of songs that feel both grounded and expansive. There’s a looseness to the performances that makes the album feel lived-in, like a late-night session captured in a room where the air is thick with nostalgia and possibility.
At its peak, the album delivers moments of real vitality. “Give In to Me” might be its most electrifying—anchored by a rich interplay between guitar and vocals, the song builds with a quiet tension before finding its backbone and rocking out on its own terms. “Deep Feeling Man” takes a different approach, revelling in a buoyant groove with flamenco-inflected guitar and upright bass that give it a sunlit, rhythmic charm. Hendrick thrives in these dynamic spaces, where their quaint vocal style complements rather than constrains the arrangements.
Other standouts include “The Fairy,” an obvious single candidate, and “Buried Words,” where orchestral synths subtly expand their sonic palette. The album’s more somber moments, like “Screen Door,” strike the right balance, shifting from hushed melancholy to a brighter, hook-laden resolve. Elsewhere, tracks like “Cyclone,” “Stone Unturned,” and “I’m Not Sorry” reinforce the duo’s ability to make acoustic compositions feel alive and urgent.
If Soft Landing stumbles, it’s in its length—by the tenth track, the album’s momentum starts to wane. But that doesn’t take away from its overall achievement. The instrumental work is consistently strong, and the vocals, while understated, bring just enough character to hold everything together. It’s an album that, at its best, doesn’t just land softly—it soars.
Discover ‘Soft Landing’ on Spotify: