Sweet, driving, a blend of blues, folk, rock, and pop, ‘Don’t Be a Fool’ is a joyous piece of music from a singer and songwriter whose music has been consistently provocative, entertaining, beautiful, and rich.
Andy Smythe, based in London, is attempting to start a Britpop renaissance. With his latest album ‘Poetry in Exile’ Smythe is attempting to explore relationships and our collective struggle to maintain our mental health in a post-pandemic landscape. Painting a grim, dark, and introspective atmosphere throughout the album, Smythe is also keeping an optimistic edge that there is good to still be gained from this, and ‘Don’t Be a Fool’ might very well be the album’s lightest moment, displaying this hope in its most potent.
With Smythe’s distinctive, nasal voice, and its duet with a lush-sounding harp that wails in glee throughout the song, his straightforward lyrics strike a chord with anyone who thought that life would be the same post-Covid. With a driving, rock-solid groove, bittersweet chords, and synth arpeggios, a strong base is built in support of the cacophonous voice/harmonica leads.
A calculated song that’s the product of a songwriting veteran who has a very good way with words, arrangements, and instilling feelings in listeners. ‘Don’t Be a Fool’ is a beautiful song with a sound that’s equal parts sad and jubilant.
