Paul Archer - Art (2025)

First solo release from Disraeli Gears/Burning Codes frontman Paul Archer, which has been designed to be enjoyed best on vinyl. ‘Art’ splits in two: Leeds-recorded alt-rock anthems on Side A, and Belfast-grown cosmic soul on Side B. The album features collaborations with Duke Special, Janet Henry, Jim Lockhart (ex-Horslips), and Jonny Quinn (ex-Snow Patrol), among others.

Not overly sure what cosmic soul is, however, ‘I’ll Be There for You’ is almost hymnal in sound and certainly lifts the spirits. Elsewhere, ‘Heavy Soul’ gets the musical endorphins flowing, as does ‘Art’, with its insistent chorus and guitars.

Paul Archer’s songwriting takes a personal route on ‘Belfast (Place of My Soul)’, a heartfelt song to his hometown. He has that knack of fitting interesting lyrics onto what sounds like a simple melody yet listen closely and there is a lot going on musically.

There are some cracking indie bangers on here including ‘Sticks and Stones’, shades of Snow Patrol with a beautifully big drum sound, and the title track, which features a relentlessly addictive chorus. ‘No FEAR’ should be a single or at least finding a place on your playlists.

The more you listen to this album, the more you love it and surely that’s the sign of any good album?