Suffolk Husband/wife duo Kyson Point reflect on the natural world and human emotion for their debut album, Underwater Sky. Prepare to soothed, smoothed and charmed…
KYSON POINT
Underwater Sky – the debut album from Suffolk husband/wife duo Kyson Point – has actually been around for quite some time. We nearly missed out on it but – I’ll tell you what – I’m so pleased that we didn’t!
Both David and Kelly Booth are acclaimed performers in their own right. Kelly plays piano and sings like an angel. David’s a whizz on the acoustic guitar and he’s one of those guys who, given an instrument, will pick it and play it like a master. Something he does over and over on Underwater Sky.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Suffolk geography, Kyson Point is the name of a beautiful location on the River Debden, near Woodbridge. It’s the scene depicted Claudia Myatt’s watercolour illustration for the album’s sleeve and it’s a peaceful setting that fits these charming songs like a made-to-measure glove. Built on a foundation of David’s evocative acoustic guitar and Kelly’s lyrical piano, the songs reflect the imagery of the natural world and explore the emotions that define us as humans. There’s a calmness that pervades these songs – a calmness that isn’t diluted even by the occasional references to the rugged northern landscapes of David’s upbringing.
HARD TO BELIEVE…
Opening track Dark River is the duo’s love song to the River Debden, inspired by a moment of epiphany enjoyed by Kelly during one of her regular runs along the river’s bank. Right from the off, I’m struck by David’s fluid guitar and Kelly’s soothing, intimate voice. The pair’s reverence for their river is captured in lines like: “Clean line across our map, on your banks we build our home. We choose you as our first friend – one foundation stone,” and the only option left to the listener is to be thoroughly charmed.
The wonders of nature also provide the inspiration for Desire Lines. This time, it’s the ‘naturally-formed’ footpaths that traverse the High Weald National Landscape in southeast England that have set David’s and Kelly’s mind’s a-racing. Giovanni Crescenzi sits in on bass guitar and Sophie Sirota adds violin and viola – and the sound is immediately enriched. Kelly’s vocals are stunning, the mood of the song is relaxed and summery and the lyrical message: “If you follow your desire, you will never be wrong,” is as applicable to life decisions as it is to orienteering.
The duo reflect upon the speed at which our children seem to pass through childhood, with Blink Bonny. Sophie is here again, with her viola, and the song’s Scottish origins are evident from the outset. Sophie’s vocals are heartwarming, melancholy and crystal clear and it’s hard to believe that this isn’t a song that’s been around for centuries.
SADDENING, YET REASSURING
David multitasks on If We Are Houses, a song that’s really a beguiling metaphor, put to music. He plays guitar, drums and flugelhorn and the core team is joined by a three-part choir. The multiple voices have a real presence and things get even more intense, when the flugelhorn joins in. The lyrics are warm and welcoming – a description that’s equally applicable to the impression left by the song.
Written during the days that followed the passing of David’s mother, the tender Somewhere Else considers the different ways that we each process loss and hold on to the memories we cherish. David’s fingerpicked guitar is sweetened by piano and flugelhorn and, with lyrics like: “Let me hold your heart, so it doesn’t break. Let me hold your hand, in case you wake,” the song’s message is saddening and reassuring in equal measure.
The cairns that mark the summits of many of the Lakeland fells – and pick out the tracks that lead there – provide the inspiration for Pyramids. In his lyrics, David ponders the origins and durability of those constructions. David and Kelly harmonise on the anthemic “Rock on rock…” chorus, whilst the verses evoke a spirit of gentle wistfulness.
WHO’S THAT MAN?
Inspired – at least in part – by the JB Lawrence documentary film, From Dust We Came, Whistling Man is the duo’s observation on the traditional concepts of God. The Booth’s good friend, Drew Young, provided the music to that film and Drew’s spoken-word reflections on the passing of his estranged father feature throughout the song. Guest, Scott Neubirt’s, pedal steel adds a ghostly effect and Kelly’s voice resonates as she delivers the song’s refrain: ”You’ll never see him, but you’ll hear him everywhere. He’s in the wind, in the trees, in the ringing in your ear.”
A photograph of a man, peering through the curtains at a barred window, captured David’s and Kelly’s imaginations. Who was that man? Where was he? Why are the windows barred? What did his life entail? Those questions are brought to life in Michael, a bright – almost poppy – song, festooned in handclaps and every instrument that the ensemble can, collectively, lays its hands upon.
The evocative Home is the Love was written in honour of David’s and Kelly’s favourite city – Örebro, in the Närke province of Central Sweden. David plays a mellow-sounding electric guitar and Kelly serves up yet another spine-chilling, intimate, vocal. Jonathan Evans adds cello and, together, the band paint a vivid picture of a snow-covered Scandinavian lakeside scene.
MORE TO COME? LET’S HOPE SO...
As clean and pure as the ceremony it celebrates, The Wedding is the perfect choice of closer for this remarkable album. It’s a truly uplifting song, particularly when the voices are raised for the “We lift our voices in love” chorus. David’s flugelhorn adds a nice ‘northern’ touch and Kelly’s voice is passionately soulful as she sings the payoff line: “One perfect day for imperfect times.”
Underwater Sky is an absorbing debut from a duo that, quite clearly, has a great deal to offer. Surely Kyson Point have some more gems up their sleeve… When those gems fall out, we’ll be ready and waiting…
Watch a live performance of Dark River – the album’s opening track – below:
Kyson Point: Website
At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram
Categories: Uncategorised
