David Woodcock

Blow Up Records

Southend-on-Sea songwriter David Woodcock comes off all Albarn-meets-Jarvis, a bit of Elvis Costello, a touch of Stiff Records here, reminders of the golden age of Britpop there. And we’re talking just the opening, title track of this EP. Song-craft in spades here, Woodcock has that Richard Hawley-like way of making music from another era for today. And he’s soaked up all those obvious and great British songwriting influences – bits of Bowie and Bolan and Ray Davies are all there on Why Does My Heart Still Ache So Much? And then it’s back to the Jarvis/Hawley/Pulp feel for Any Fool Can Fall In Love before we get hints of Harry Nilsson via Bowie/Ian Hunter on the closer, I Forgot To Miss You.

It’s one of those little snapshots where there’s nearly too much brilliant stuff going on all at once, but it’s never overcooked. Just dazzling to think across four songs Woodcock has baited the hook and pulled you right in. I hope there’s more. And soon.

This guy could be brilliant. Could be? For right now at least he already is.