Darren Hill is a singer-songwriter from Belfast that recently launched his EP “Hand of a Wolf” at McHughs and is seemingly working his way round the whole North Coast playing gigs, plugging the EP and getting his name known.
Darren plays in an upbeat folk style that’s largely acoustic, but in saying that opener ‘The Rolling Tide’ is more broodingly haunting with steady drums and the occasional electric guitar stabbing through the acoustic guitar. ‘Howling Into The Wind’ brings a party vibe initially and a call and response style singalong chorus, with a mid song breakdown giving way to a slightly slower tempo before finally picking up with some thigh slapping merriment. It’s fairly eclectic and at only two and a half minutes leaves you wondering how so much was stuffed into so little time. ‘Simple Situations’ laments the ever increasing noise that the world brings with it, a more simplistic song that has you humming along and singing ‘da da da da da’ long after it’s finished. ‘Headphones’ reminds me a little of The Dandy Warhols – when they’re in songwriting mode – which I like, i’d say this is probably my favourite track on the EP and the one i’m most likely to play to people. ‘The Storm’ starts off with some serious sounding fiddly guitar and an odd drum beat that had me trying to decide if i liked it or not however a minute in and the songs seems to find it’s feet and is bolstered by the vocal harmonies and more adhesive style. The EP finishes with ‘Hand Of A Wolf’ which is almost epic, although at 3 minutes long i’m not sure that’s viable, but starts down beat and sombre, tilts upwards, and then emerges upbeat and slightly aggressive. I’m glad the track finished the album in a defiant mood, rather than downbeat, over all it seems more fitting. Over all this is a great showcase of Darren Hill’s style, it sounds familiar but isn’t the norm, just as you think you have a song pegged it gets changed it. I like it and be listening to it again.
You can listen below and buy the EP for only a fiver.
