The Gold Tips are a Belfast based soul outfit, established since 2021, that have emerged as an exciting new addition to the scene. They’re back with their sophomore album Hope And Recreation, 4 years after their debut album. Hope And Recreation builds on the foundations established in their debut Parade whilst expanding their musical range. The album explores themes that are uplifting and motivating but are also able to recognise tensions and challenges in a moving but positive manner. This album is a real display of artistic development whilst showing a love and respect to so many fundamentals of this genre.
The album starts off strong with their first track ‘Hold On’. This sets an exciting precedent for the rest of the album. Immediately when the vocals came in, I couldn’t help but imagine this is what James would’ve been like if they’d gone even more Western. With a super catchy chorus and the layers of trumpets and saxophone lines this created an anthemic album opening and the keyboard solo in the bridge made for an exciting change of pace.
‘Propelled Along’ and ‘If You’re Ready’ featured funky gospel choruses and grooving saxophone riffs. These built on top of short and simple guitar riffs. These tracks definitely hit the hope brief of the album as they feel motivational and upbeat. One prominent feature I loved at the end of ‘If You’re Ready’ was the inclusion of laughter which gives an authenticity to the track with a glimpse into the raw recording of the song.
‘I’m Not The Only One’ brings a slower change in place that completely strips their sound back to keyboards and vocals only but builds up with the introduction of the guitar and drums. This is a song to sway to that reflects more of a sombre tone and displays that recognition of tensions and challenges.
The energy and mood of the album were cranked back up with tracks ‘I’m Moving On’, ‘I Got Some Hope To Shout About’ and ‘In The Mood For Love’, which is the opposite to the previous track. Filled with exciting drum fills, keyboards to click your fingers to and more classic rock riffs reminiscent of the 50s and 60s, these tracks will lift you back up whilst giving you an appreciation for the hybrid style that The Gold Tips successfully display.
‘Here Comes The Love’ welcomes a return to a leisurely, more relaxed tone with a very slow build up to a final bridge. There isn’t a strong distinction between verses and choruses which does help with the overall flow of the song. More of a distinction could be made to make for a more varied engaging track. ‘So I Seek’ closes the album and this felt cyclical with strong opening and closing tracks on the album. The keyboard filler riffs are absolutely magical as frontman Eamonn McNamee’s vocals dance with the backing vocals in a fluid back and forth exchange.
Overall, the album inspires motivation, hope and progression. They have shown a new maturity as they expanded their musical scope with tracks that I can imagine will do very well live.
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