MAT KEARNEY > City of Black and White

City of Black and White, the second national release from Aware/Columbia singer/songwriter Mat Kearney finds the artist in a very different place musically than when he emerged on the scene three years ago. Less rhythm-driven, and absent of the spoken-word beats that punctuated his refreshing folk/pop/rap fusion Nothing Left to Lose, City of Black and White unfolds with more polish.

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Label: AWARE/COLUMBIA

[Rating: 3.5]

City of Black and White, the second national release from Aware/Columbia singer/songwriter Mat Kearney finds the artist in a very different place musically than when he emerged on the scene three years ago. Less rhythm-driven, and absent of the spoken-word beats that punctuated his refreshing folk/pop/rap fusion Nothing Left to Lose, City of Black and White unfolds with more polish.

Kearney and producer Robert Marvin start from the same place that marked his debut: bright piano and warm acoustic guitars lay the foundation for these12 tunes. But City lacks the raw edge of his previous offering, forgoing spare arrangements for more textured tracks built with delayed electric guitars, layered harmonies and powerful, sweeping drums that fill any lingering open space. The electro-acoustic territory mined on City, emphasis on the electro-, gives a nod to the current pop/adult contemporary landscape where artists like the Fray, John Mayer and Coldplay thrive.

City’s songs are honest, emotional sketches lifted from Kearney‘s personal diary. The disc opener “Little Bit More” eases listeners into this collection and offers a representative taste of what’s to come: no surprises, just consistently mid-tempo, melodic numbers. City’s real victory is its consistently cool restraint. Despite the huge, lush sonic palette, Kearney and Co. managed to imbue this disc with an endearing tenderness.

Whether Kearney is falling in or out, is the lyrical subject at hand. Kearney explores all the feelings in between, be it the excitement of a first blush or the gravity of commitment (“On and On”). The hope-filled single “Closer to Love” showcases Kearney‘s vocals via catchy staccato phrasing. Later in the tune he slides into his signature nuanced falsetto. Standout “Might have been Wrong” finds the artist vulnerable, though wide-eyed to mistakes in a relationship where hindsight is 20/20. “Lifeline” harnesses longing without all the drama. In the catchy, lilting chorus Kearney sings, “I can’t feel a thing without you by my side/send me out a lifeline.” New disc City should keep him afloat a little while longer.

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