Review of Hein Cooper - Underneath It All by Thomas Bleach
Heading towards a bold cinematic sound, Hein Cooper sets his eye on a full band approach for his emotionally driven sophomore record. ‘Underneath It All’ showcases a big growth from his minimalistic debut ‘The Art Of Escape’. Following it’s mostly acoustic soundscape he started to dabble with electronic influences and a full band sound to create something that was more genuine to the artist he wanted to be. Reflecting on the end of a relationship which left him questioning if love actually exists, Cooper fell in love again and in a deeper and more hopeful way.
With every song sounding like it could be apart of a moody coming of age drama soundtrack, he opens up to listeners and has you reflecting on your own vulnerability. Opening track ‘Hijack’ is an intense biopic that is the perfect album opener with it’s soaring guitars and cool storyline. The reflecting and soothing ‘Hear My Voice’ softens things up with a calm delivery that is elevated by an electronic interpolation. ‘Like That’ is the albums most pop influenced moment and the hook will be stuck in your head for hours. Layered with acoustic guitar this sound adds a whole new feeling and emotion as the song launches into this upbeat production that almost sounds pulsated in the most organic way. But the therapeutic ‘Fear Of Missing Out’ is a track that gradually soars and takes the listener on a unique journey of it’s own through its sonical sphere of highs and lows.
Continuing the cinematic production ‘Invincible’ and ‘Anywhere’ are bold tracks that stand out as some of the strongest songs on the album. Where as ‘Drive’ is probably the most obscure moment with it’s experimental rock production that is still so cinematic within it’s roots. ‘Peculiar’ and ‘Wolfe’ take it back to his acoustic origins before title track ‘Underneath It All’ adds some beautiful strings to close out the record. It’s a fitting touch to an album full of high and low emotions. Cooper has really found himself as an artist and found a really theatrical and honest voice in his music.
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