"Lines" from H.Pe
H.Pe, a singer/songwriter hailing from Ayr, Ontario, has unveiled his latest album, Lines an opus that features a collection of minimalist songs. This album is a departure from the norm of what you hear these days, with its stripped-down approach that centers around raw vocals and soulful guitar strums. The absence of elaborate effects or intricate soundscapes puts the spotlight solely on the songwriting skills of H.Pe.
The journey begins with "Dublin," a hauntingly reflective track that showcases H.Pe's emotive vocal delivery. The subtle shifts in melody, occasional vocal harmonies and intensified strumming patterns add depth and captivate the listener's emotions.
"Favourite Line" follows suit, exuding a haunting quality that is breathtakingly beautiful. H.Pe's vocal inflections appeal straight to the heart. "Wait" is a song where he belts it out. It feels like he’s yearning for companionship. It’s beautiful yet melancholy.
In "Gulin Gu," the aesthetics take a turn, with H.Pe switching to an acoustic guitar where warmth and depth of the aged strings lend a unique touch to this track.
One of my absolute favorites was “Hurricane.” If you really listen to this song it will wash over you and create a sense of calm. There’s a distance to the song as if he is performing in an open environment. The vocals are again performed with an abundance of emotion as he thinks about these things being on his mind.
“Woods (A Fantasy)” is vibrant yet warm. It’s a five-minute song performed on guitar and really doesn't need anything to fill you with emotion. The songs continued to resonate with me as I listened to “Carolita” and “Hobby of the Hawks.” Make sure not to miss the closer "Lay Awake at Night and Call it Dancing" which leaves an indelible mark with a profound impact.
As I stated it’s rare to hear an artist release an album this minimalist these days. There are so many tools available for artists it feels like they are trying to out produce each other. I liked that the artist decided to go in the opposite direction which was a breath of fresh air.