Nick Mulvey’s new album New Mythology came out on Fiction Records on Friday and marks his first full length LP in 5 years. The 37 year old British songwriter from Cambridge has now released 3 albums infused with his idiosyncratically uplifting and diverse sound. Finding comfort in the nylon string acoustic guitar that has finger picked and strummed its way through most of his releases, Mulvey isn’t necessarily breaking new ground with New Mythology, it chugs along with much the same energy and tropes of his previous material, but it doesn’t lose any charm in doing so. Nick Mulvey knows his strengths and sticks to them confidently with a lot of heart and honesty on this new record.
“Brother To You” is a particularly touching moment of the album, coming in at track number 4, Nick sings “Being a brother to you wasn’t easy for me, Head full of toxic scenes and other people’s dreams, Oh my days what a waste if I can turn it back make the change, I have missed your face, your mind, your company”. It comes only 6 months or so after losing his older brother back in December last year and is a raw and emotional apology for taking time for granted. Speaking recently with Dork Magazine Nick said “It’s about atonement and apology and writing it has been relief for me. From these personal origins it’s been cool to see how much people resonate with the song. It seems like most people have someone in their past who they would like to say this kind of message to.”
Nick has also spoken on some of the influences that inspired New Mythology with Clash, including Brian Eno, Sault, Kae Tempest, Fimba Brava, and Wild Beasts as big sources of inspiration for the new album. Speaking on Kae Tempest’s influence, and their two songs “More Pressure” and “Grace”, he noted “Kae performed these two tracks back to back on Jimmy Fallen a few months ago and I’m still electrified. The truth they speak…! It’s wild and it just pierces more, somehow”.
Going on to note the grandfather of ambiences influence he also said “(Brian) Eno gets it. Says me and every other artist / person, I know, but… he does. He is an inspiration in these times not only for all his culture shaping creations and ideas over the decades but because he is acting with the appropriate urgency these times are demanding. He is awake”.
Honesty seems to be the running theme here and is a sentiment reflected in much of Nick’s music. New Mythology can be seen as an exploration of family, character, and connection, and a deeply personal one at that, pushing Mulvey’s reputation as one of the UK’s most consistent songwriters to new heights.
Unfortunately Nick has had to postpone much of his intimate UK record store tour due to an ongoing wrist injury, however you can stream and buy his new album here.
