UK singer-songwriter Chris Lewington delivers his most compelling work yet with ‘Shadow Play’, a ten-track album that marries sunny 60s pop sensibilities with lyrical depth and unexpected darkness. Following the attention-grabbing teaser single, the full album reveals Lewington as a master craftsman—one who can channel the immediate appeal of classic pop while weaving in the “weird and dark” undercurrents he admires in Love’s Forever Changes.
The album showcases Lewington’s decades-honed artistry, from his 80s work with The Silence and Bicycle Thieves to his more recent solo efforts. These tracks feel both timeless and contemporary, with expansive guitar soundscapes that nod to The Beatles while carrying the emotional weight of Bon Iver. True to his description, Lewington balances toe-tapping grooves with poignant ballads, all tied together by his gift for storytelling.
Lewington shares, “I always liked the way Love’s “Forever Changes” was full of beautiful tunes but alongside the lyrics were quite weird and dark. I set out with “Shadow Play” to write something that would be an immediate, straight, classic pop song, but on reflection, I got lots of strange twists, songs about loss, mourning and whimsy.”
Standout moments reveal an artist unafraid to explore loss and whimsy within deceptively bright arrangements – a tension that makes ‘Shadow Play’ far more than mere nostalgia. Having worked with legends like Tony Visconti, Lewington’s craftsmanship shines in every carefully placed chord and lyrical twist.
Chris Lewington is a UK-based singer-songwriter whose deep passion for the nostalgia of the sixties and seventies has seen him enjoy a decorated career in the underground, working with the likes of Tony Visconti and racking up a couple of songwriting accolades in the process. Featuring as part of bands The Silence and Bicycle Thieves in the mid-eighties, Lewington has never forgotten his songwriting roots, pitching an array of material to publishers across the nineties and noughties. 2018 saw him release his debut solo album to healthy critical acclaim, taking cues from the likes of The Beatles and Love, whilst also nodding his hat to contemporaries First Aid Kit and Bon Iver. Moving through the ranks and growing from strength to strength, Chris Lewington is gearing up to unveil his fourth album in 2025.
With ‘Shadow Play,’ Chris Lewington proves that classic pop can still surprise
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