The Breakdown
Few artists have demonstrated the resilience, charm, and sheer songwriting brilliance of Edwyn Collins. From his early days fronting the influential Orange Juice to his solo success with A Girl Like You, Collins’ career has been marked by reinvention and a knack for timeless melody. Following his life-changing strokes in 2005, his music has carried an even deeper weight, reflecting themes of perseverance and rediscovery. Now, with Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation, his first album in six years, Collins delivers one of his strongest and most poignant records in decades.
The album is rich in both sound and sentiment, crafted with a warmth that feels deeply personal yet universal. Self-produced at his Scottish studio, Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation finds Collins embracing past and present with an effortless grace. Opening track Knowledge sets the tone—sharp, beautiful pop with a gospel-infused chorus and a wind section that adds a powerful lift. Songs like Paper Planes and The Bridge Hotel are more introspective, steeped in nostalgia and memory, while The Heart Is a Foolish Little Thing delivers an irresistible dose of upbeat charm, complete with a joyous chorus and delicate tuned percussion.
Musically, the album traverses a broad landscape, from the folk-tinged wistfulness of The Mountains Are My Home to the echoing, sax-drenched new wave energy of Strange Old World. Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation itself carries a steady pulse, with hints of classic Northern Soul in its DNA, while Sound As A Pound sees Collins channeling the spirit of Wigan Casino in his own sophisticated way. These shifts in mood and style reflect not just Collins’ musical diversity but also his unwavering ability to craft songs that feel both fresh and familiar.
Lyrically, Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation is deeply reflective, touching on themes of recovery, communication, and personal history. There’s a poetic quality to Collins’ writing—sometimes direct, sometimes abstract, always affecting. Must Be Real leans into soulful balladry, while Rhythm Is My Own World, with its gentle bossa nova feel, offers a beautifully understated closer, reinforcing the album’s themes of perseverance and love.
With Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation, Edwyn Collins has created a record that is as strong and assured as anything in his career. It’s a testament to his remarkable songwriting, his ability to find beauty in both struggle and celebration, and his enduring gift for melody. Charming, heartfelt, and utterly compelling, this is an album to treasure.
No Comment