“Somebody just died / Nobody you’d know,” Darren Hayman intones in the opening line of his latest album, Amazing Things. Not being formally acquainted with Hayman’s deceased friend, for whom these songs have been written and were inspired by, does not compromise one’s experience with this heartfelt album. Grief is felt differently by everyone, but there’s a universal language of loss understood by anyone who’s experienced such pain, whether they can translate those emotions into words or not. Little things like keeping someone’s phone number in your list of contacts even though you can no longer traditionally reach them, drinking stronger beers to soften sadness, or remembering promises you made and the reality of upholding that responsibility are fragments that feel so specific and isolating during the early days of grief. Hayman’s astute detailing of his mourning period on Amazing Things makes you feel less alone in that haze.
Hayman is no stranger to writing an album anchored by a specific theme. There have been explorations into the English Civil War, lidos, astronauts, break-ups, and more, ranging from the banal to the bizarre. With a cheery title like Amazing Things, you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be entering a world mired with death. The typical verve conjured from that phrase, however, is weighted in sorrow when its context is revealed in the title track: “Did you hear them say they do amazing things these days?” referring to advancements in cancer treatment. A well-meaning sentiment often used when people are stuck for words when confronted with grave conversations, Hayman disregards forced positivity, replacing it with a bittersweet parting line, “Me and you, we have more being friends to do. You amazing thing.” It’s a perfect reflection of how Hayman effectively marries sadness and joy across this beautiful tribute to his friend.
A minimal palette comprised mostly of layered electric guitars, hence the Darren Hayman and his Electric Guitars moniker, with a wonderful variation of effects and licks, ensures that these arrangements aren’t lacking in personality or textural depth. Mostly exuberant in their expression, Hayman’s ensemble of guitar tones does extremely well to make Amazing Things a fun, inviting and dynamic listen with the title track, ‘Teenage Guitar’ and ‘It’s Gotten Quiet Around Here’ all containing a bright mid-2000s indie-rock sensibility to the buoyant arrangements. Broadly speaking, Hayman’s gentle vocal performance and comforting collection of guitar melodies feel quintessentially English in their musical expression.
However, the LP’s standout moments are infused with a similar grittiness of acts from across the water. ‘Do Whatever You Want’, with its jaunty guitar licks and inclusion of synths is reminiscent of Grandaddy, while the gorgeous closing track, ‘Somebody Good Thinks I’m Good’, leaves us with the LP’s most maudlin note, channelling Yo La Tengo’s introspectively intoned moments, this stunning highlight wouldn’t feel out of place on Side 2 of their 2018 release, There’s A Riot Going On. The economic utilisation of electronic motifs, as heard on these tracks, certainly elevates their presence with each revisit.
A quaint minimalism in the melodic structure of these arrangements serves the thematic foundation extremely well. Amazing Things’ greatest asset won’t be found in innovative recording techniques or outlandish compositions, but in Hayman’s heart-wrenching sincerity, both in celebrating his friend and articulating his sadness.
