The Less I Knew is the first of two albums that Irish singer-songwriter-producer James Vincent McMorrow is set to release this year, and with these eight easygoing, heartfelt songs kicking off the year, it’s clear that there’s nothing that he can’t do. From the stark, stripped down sounds on his early releases like Early in the Morning and Post Tropical, McMorrow has certainly bloomed over the years, leaning heavily into sounds of pop, hip-hop and R&B with last year’s Grapefruit Season, and The Less I Knew finds him fully realizing these sounds in a way that simply feels easy, never forced.
Opening The Less I Knew is the heartfelt, bittersweet, “Hurricane,” carried primarily by acoustic guitar and bright, celebratory horns as he croons, “You make my heart beat like a hurricane”. As fans have come to expect from him, “Hurricane” and the songs that follow are spearheaded by poetic and vulnerable lyrics delivered alongside soulful, stunning vocals. Regardless of the mood, whether it’s the upbeat, summery “Steven” or the simplistic, piano-driven title track, McMorrow’s voice and lyrics feel incredibly intimate and honest throughout the entire album.
One of his most dynamic releases yet, The Less I Knew not only finds James Vincent McMorrow bearing his soul on every track, but it also finds him expanding on his sounds. Whether it’s the surprisingly bright “The Reason I Died” or the dreamy and fuzzy “Lighten Up” or the massive closing track, “A Lot To Take” there’s so much to unpack instrumentally that it’ll take a few listens to really soak in all of the intricacies of the album. With a sense of electricity, intimacy and excitement prevalent throughout each song, The Less I Knew is an incredibly easy yet fulfilling listen that’ll keep fans coming back for more.