The starting point for Before It Gets Dark – the forthcoming album from Berkshire singer-songwriter, Joe Hicks. Lead single More To Me captures the raw disorientation of heartbreak.
CONFRONTING RECENT LOSSES
Newbury-based singer-songwriter Joe Hicks first came to public attention back in 2017 when he released both his debut single and a self-titled EP. Since then, he’s been attracting attention on a grand scale, receiving widespread plaudits in the media, whilst his songs have amassed over 5 million streams. Joe’s 3rd full-length album, Before It Gets Dark, will be with us in March, so right now is just the time for the tasters to start to appear. And the first such taster is More to Me, the forthcoming album’s lead single.
With Before It gets Dark, Joe will confronting the fallout of recent losses he’s suffered – the death of his father and the collapse of a relationship. And, more positively. the album will also offer a roadmap through grief that’s both cathartic and hopeful. “The album is about feeling beaten down by modern society, uncertainty and by the things that life can throw at you,” says Joe. “It deals with the death of my dad, a breakup, and the darker songs are from the somewhat nihilistic ‘life is meaningless’ perspective of the world that I slipped into, following those events. This record is about coming through that and looking forward; wanting to see the world before it gets dark.”
THE STARTING POINT
More to Me, the lead single is, to all intents and purposes, the album’s starting point, capturing the raw disorientation of heartbreak and setting the tone for the album’s emotional trope. Taking up the story, Joe explains: “After a breakup, you’re often unaware of how the other person is dealing with it. Silence leaves you guessing and feeling like you’re the only one suffering, while they’re fine. This song is about breaking free from the invisible hold they still have, the echoes of a life that no longer exists.”
More to Me is a hefty slice of indie-rock, powered by pulsing keyboards, a driving drumbeat and sharp, punchy electric guitar riffs. Joe’s lyrics – and his delivery of them – are as direct and as choppy as the riffs. It’s crystal clear, both from the lyrics and from his attitude that, despite the suffering he’s endured, he’s ready and eager to shrug away his troubles and get on with the challenges of living a life. As he says, as he brings More to Me to its conclusion: “…don’t think I’ll be waiting anymore.”
On this early evidence, Before It Gets Dark is going to be quite an album. We’ll find out for sure on 27th March – watch this space…
Get a feel for what Joe Hicks is up to. Listen to Sail Away, a track from his 2022 album, The Best I Could Do At The Time, below:
Joe Hicks: Official Website