Los Angeles – Orange County, California singer/songwriter Nic Hessler has a new perspective on music and well, life too. About four years ago, the Captured Tracks artist known at the time as Catwalk was sidelined after being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder often mistaken for Multiple Sclerosis. After leaving him partially paralyzed due to the disease, it unfortunately prevented Hessler from performing music. However, while the show must go on in music, life must go on as well. In late 2014 came the rebirth of an artist. Hessler dropped the hypothetical band name Catwalk and has emerged with the debut LP under his given name.
The results are unparalleled, as Hessler has shifted gears on Soft Connections with power-pop sensibilities. The physical journey he embarked on has transformed him from the bedroom-pop music-making teenager he once was. Now in 2015, with much vitality and maturity, Hessler has taken his personal experiences to craft a vibrant, euphonic record that conjures the themes of truth, purpose, dreams, and the endless quest of contentment. Soft Connections tells many stories, but the best one it can share is how it lets the listener conceive their own personal tale by the introspectiveness the record sheds light upon.
Soft Connections brims with beauty right from the beginning with “I Feel Again.” It takes a few seconds to come alive and when it does, this late 80s/early 90s guitar-pop vibe comes into full form. The buoyant anthem is affluent with aural positive sounds. “Permanent” starts with the strumming of a guitar and the overall tone reminds me of something straight out of an indie 90s movie. “Do You Ever” captures a classic 60s rock sound as it touches upon some psychedelic vibes. The guitar solo in the last act of the track is outstanding. It ultimately leads up to groovy guitar work as the song comes to a close. “All Around You” is a pensive outing that will easily appease the ears of the listener. Striking beauty and deep contemplation soak up this exceptional tune.
“Please Don’t Break” is a revitalized version of a previous Catwalk era track. For this go around, Hessler sings with much more confidence and the production values are clearly higher. The previous DIY hazy song was good, but this updated version with jangly guitars spark a deep rhythmic tone that is more suitable for Hessler’s new assertive demeanor. “Into The Twilight” pushes Hessler’s soundscape into new heights and is one of the many highlights found on the record. The zippy tempo and meditative lyrics are audibly evident, but the way Hessler steers this song from beginning to end is imposing on all accounts. The structural element along with the collection of appealing sounds and deep layers gives off much impetus in what is certainly Hessler’s finest effort.
The title track hits some 80s vibes with the mild use of snyths. It remains a steady sound as it peacefully ends the way it began. The bonus track, “Disappear,” is iridescent; Hessler sings about his intimate endeavors in an effective vocal tone that translates to a sentiment that will be undoubtedly poignant for the listener. In the chorus he commands the lines, “I don’t want to wait, I just want to disappear.” It encapsulates a period many can relate to in their own reality. Soft Connections is an album flourishing with melodic vibrations and profound sensibilities. Nic Hessler experiences personal awareness and implements his newfound identify within 13 tracks that shapes up to be something of genuine substance.
Soft Connections is out on March 17 via Captured Tracks. Check out Nic Hessler on Facebook for more information.
Sean Kayden
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