ST JOHNS WOOD AFFAIR‘s self-titled debut was one of the most perilously charming platters of 2023 – perilous because psychedelia that Keith Smart’s ensemble offer conceals an element of risk their listener, of course, is more than willing to take, which is not surprising given its alluring melodic layer. What’s also no surprising is the fact of the English band not taking a lot of their sweet time to come up with a follow-up album which will expose the players being bent on rocking raw as opposed to the combo’s usual polished sonics.
“Our latest album was recorded in 2024,” elucidates Keith. “I like to record organically, with no Auto-Tune on vocals. All voices and instruments are real here! Still, I like to add a few unusual things to songs, so we have my ten-year-old granddaughter speaking on one track, and glockenspiel on another. But all the effects on my guitar, I generate on my pedal board: this means we can reproduce the same sounds live. We have tried out some of the new numbers at festivals we play, and the audience have loved them, so I think people who bought our first album will love this even more.”
Titled simply “2” and comprised of nine cuts, this record will see the light of day on May 23rd.
2
1. Centre Of Your Universe
2. Follow Me To The Stars
3. Can You See Me?
4. Hoping On The Train In Vain
5. Magic Carpet Ride
6. Memory Lane
7. Secret Garden
8. TV Eyes
9. Dream Farm
