New Single: Phil Cooper Still Holding His Breath

If Phil Cooper’s 2018 “Thoughts and Observations,” was one of the first albums we ever reviewed here on Devizine, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to say “a new single from Phil Cooper,” but here we are, and it’s a great place to be…..

As the name suggested “Thoughts and Observations,” as Phil’s songwriting template, in general, is relatable personal reflection which often provides pointers for his audience, it was brimful of such, and while the new single Still Holding My Breath does likewise, it offers a matured side to Phil’s convictions. Plus, it rides that cool acoustic value we know and love him for, remarkably well.

There’s a definite and poignant message of perseverance here, opening with the line “look out world, I’m here to stay,” and a measure of success whereby the creative mind must continue nonetheless. As is Luke 6:38, the song’s indispensable line, “I still believe the more you put in the more you will get in return,” rewards any labour of love for the hard worker with the notion to keep at it.

Phil is one such hard worker who I see setting himself high goals, and in embarking on many projects, some formulated, others more experimental, has had varied success with them. Perhaps none more than his grouping with Jamie R Hawkins and Tamsin Quin as The Lost Trades. If this modern folk harmony trio has achieved more than the sum of all their parts as individuals, it is with hard work they’ve achieved so and with an “a little help from my friends,” sentiment evident in the depths of this song, and more visually with the excellent accompanying video made by Jamie. The song is, besides the labour applied to The Lost Trades, something wholeheartedly solitary, an introverted savoury sentiment. It’s nice to see them take a short break from the trio in order to align themselves once again with their separate identities, as they were before the dawn of The Lost Trades all remarkable within their own rights.

I believe the hard work has paid off for Phil, relatively, making me wonder what his expectations or goals are, what he dreams to achieve, being Still Holding My Breath suggests quintessentially he still has “barriers” to overcome, but a single this good is surely proof of his worth; it is a valuable song. And in that, this is more an outward facing concept, delivering a message to us.

To the artist personally, do take a deep breath, it’s an outstanding song, Phil; inspiringly evolved from everything which has gone before it. To everyone else, decide for yourself by taking a listen!

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Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward “E”) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunes…

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