Yorkshire-based singer-songwriter August Gilde returns with another set of his signature warm, unguarded songs. The First Of August is an album to savour and reflect upon.
Release Date: 10th October 2025
Label: Self Release
Format: Digital
WILLING TO LEARN FROM THE GRAND MASTERS…
It’s just about a year since At The Barrier first stumbled across Yorkshire-based singer-songwriter, August Gilde. Back then, we were deeply impressed by the collection of observational, hope-enhancing songs that made up August’s second album, Animals.
Animals enhanced August’s reputation as a writer of warm, unguarded songs and notched up the comparisons between his work and the songs of artists such as Nick Drake, José González and others. Those comparisons remain valid, although, for his new album, The First of August, August also demonstrates that he’s willing to learn from a host of other grand masters too – including Dylan, John Sebastian, Leonard Cohen and Simon & Garfunkel.
DON’T FENCE ME IN!
Actually, The First Of August is an album of consolidation. It’s a curated collection of songs that have been recorded over a period of several years. As such, it gathers together both intimate field recordings and expansive band performances and features a wide range of musical styles that stretch from songs of intimate delicacy to the fringes of rock ‘n’ roll. The First of August demonstrates that August Gilde doesn’t like to be filed under any specific heading.
It’s a gentle beginning and opening track, The Devil, fully justifies those heralded Nick Drake comparisons. Well – at first it does, anyhow. The comparison is there in August’s intimate vocal tones and softly fingerpicked guitar, but listen closely and you’ll sense a sinister undercurrent at work. And that undercurrent breaks the surface at the song’s midpoint, as the peace is shattered by the thunderous drums that dominate the remainder of the song.
OPTIMISM FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
It’s all change for Someone New, the album’s bright, uplifting, lead single. The shuffling drumbeat that was such a prominent feature of the Animals album is back and it provides a fitting foundation for August’s lightly strummed guitar and his reassuring vocals. Best of all, the song’s “It’s only gonna get better” refrain delivers a much-needed dose of optimism for a brighter future.
August’s whispered vocals to Air To Breathe are half-sung and half-spoken as acoustic guitars chatter and flutter urgently in the background. Lyrics like: “…’til looking for a space that I can find inside my head – the room where you’re not there. Just open a window and find air to breathe instead” explore the need we all have to find space and clarity. It’s all highly introspective, but that’s a mood that doesn’t carry over into the joyful When The Wind Blows In, a song that retains the album’s all-pervading softness, whilst packing itself with energy. It’s a bluesy rant, along the lines of Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues; it’s short, but it’s invigourating.
FROM SUNSHINE TO DARKNESS…
August communes with his younger self for The Fox And The Owl, another song in which introspection holds sway. Gently-strummed acoustic guitar provides a thoughtful backing to August’s wistful vocal, before the pace is cranked up ever-so-slightly for the blissfully laidback Conversations With The Setting Sun – the latest of the string of singles to preview The First Of August. The spirit of John Sebastian permeates the song, both in lyrical content and through August’s style of delivery and the effect is contented and satisfying.
But, as we’ve already concluded, August Gilde isn’t an artist who’s content to stick with one style or influence and The Chase sees him swapping John Sebastian’s cloak for Leonard Cohen’s hat. It’s swift shift from bright sunshine into cold darkness for a song described as “… a simmering story of control, fear and resistance.” The tone of August’s guitar reflects the darkness in his voice and, as the song reaches its climax, all hell is let loose…
POSITIVE PARTING SHOT
There’s no shortage of delicacy on The First Of August but it’s the heartwarming Wren’s Bone that takes the prize for the album’s tenderest moment. Simon & Garfunkel come to mind as August accompanies his clear, mellow vocals with fingerpicked acoustic guitar for a story that offers love and reassurance to someone who feels unworthy.
And, to conclude an absorbing album: a slow-building anthem. Savage World, the album’s closing track, starts quietly enough as – first – piano, then electric guitar, set the theme. A full band, including strings, slowly makes its presence felt as the song gathers momentum and August’s lyrics deliver their positive message – basically that love is the antidote to the negativity and chaos that threatens to surround us. It’s anthemic, and it’s a parting shot that we’ve come to expect from August Gilde.
Listen to Someone New, the album’s uplifting lead single, below:
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