Hidden Hollow, Vol. One - Singles. Radical Face

A new mini album by Radical Face was announced by way of a Bandcamp notification. Again Ben Cooper gives away his music digitally for what you are willing to pay. In my case that is time I invest to listen in order to write about his music and hopefully bring it to the attention of a few more people.

Radical Face made it to these pages a few times now, most recently with the singles/video 'Sunlight' and 'Better Days'. The former is part of this mini album. Soft-voiced, soft-spoken, accompanied by just as soft but rich music. Hidden Hollow is the kind of album that if played while not paying attention will be over without noticing. All of a sudden I will realise not hearing music any more, without a clue when it stopped, just that there's silence now.

Pay attention and a wealth of sounds presents itself. Not that a million things happen all at once, far from, the richness of Hidden Hollow hides in tiny details and soft, soft sounds (unless played incredibly loud of course). Ben Cooper excels in bringing his songs alive by way of these little details. This can be a different drum pattern, a few guitar of keyboard notes. His soft voice will always hover over the music no matter what. I can imagine a ghost singing along to this music, so ethereal his voice sounds at times, as if otherworldly.

Hidden Hollow is the result of a musical project, a collection of the first songs from that project where he worked on a song per month within an online community of the creative and curious for music art and storytelling. It clearly inspired Ben Cooper to work his best.

The result is a mini album that begs listening. Anyone who gives this album a serious try, please do when you like singer-songwriters and a more alternative kind of folk music, will be rewarded. Radical Face writes songs that flow freely, so are extremely pleasant to follow, and sooth the mind. There's no punishment to just listen to Hidden Hollow while being in lockdown and curfewed. The subtle changes between the songs, provide the necessary dynamics to the album, that even ends with an up tempo song, Radical Face style.

Such a change comes when the single 'Sunlight' starts with drums playing a soft, but clear, not everyday pattern. The album receives the kind of boost, added to by the softly swelling synths, that makes it grow. Slowly but surely a more poppy element is allowed to come into the album, receiving its highlight with the tighter song 'More Clay Than Stone (Still On Our Way)'. Had the song been given a little more obvious pop elements, it might even have become "commercial". Now it moves closer to fellow singer-songwriters like Patrick Joseph and Shane Alexander.

Listening closely to Hidden Hollow you will notice how varied the album is. Anything but the first impression from superficial listening will remain then. Each song has distinct characteristics making the album grow and grow. I don't know of Hidden Hollow can be called Radical Face's corona album, it is inconsequential as it's good. A great addition to an already interesting oeuvre.

Wo.

You can listen to and order Hidden Hollow, Vol. 1 - Singles here:

https://radicalface.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-hollow-vol-one-singles

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g