Review by Dom Vigil
Covering a full range of the emotional spectrum while staying true to his signature timeless sound, Liam Gallagher has created an instant hit with As You Were. The twelve songs on this record (fifteen, if you’ve got your hands on the deluxe edition) will take you through peaks and valleys for a surprisingly personal and intimate release. Somewhere between the first song and the last, you’ll find yourself feeling like you know Gallagher personally, making this a very human and relatable release.
The explosive single, “Wall of Glass” opens As You Were with crunchy guitars, powerful vocals and high energy drums. With a very unapologetic and proud vibe, “Wall of Glass” starts the album off on a confident foot. Although “Bold” loses some of the energy that “Wall of Glass” establishes, lyrically and vocally this song certainly echoes what its title suggests. Like “Wall of Glass,” “Bold” is a very confident sounding song, with the focus falling mainly on Gallagher’s vocals.
Where “Bold” slows things down a bit, the third song, “Greedy Soul” picks up the pace once more, with the high energy drumbeat setting the tone. One of the strongest songs on As You Were comes a few songs later with “For What It’s Worth.” This incredibly relatable ballad touches on being misunderstood and attempting to make things right, and the slower tone of the song allows Gallagher’s vocals to really shine as the lyrics hit home.
Oddly enough, the only downside on As You Were comes in the consistency between songs. Each track really is solid and well executed, but while Gallagher explores emotional peaks and valleys, the musical aspect of the album stays on pretty much the same level from track to track. You may find yourself longing for a bit more musical diversity, but if you’re the type that really connects with the lyrical content of an album, then As You Were will surely resonate with you.
That’s not to say that there aren’t some standouts on the record, either. Contrasting well with “For What It’s Worth” is “You Better Run” a few songs later, providing listeners with a more aggressive side of Liam Gallagher. Then comes the simplistic and beautiful “Chinatown,” which is lead by acoustic guitar and stunning vocals.
As You Were slowly begins to wind down with the eleventh track, “Universal Gleam,” which sort of feels like the album’s sunset. A slower sound and comforting lyrics (“I won’t ever let you down”) ease listeners into the simplistic final track, “I’ve All I Need,” which ends things on a really positive, uplifting note.
If you’re listening to the deluxe edition of As You Were, then you’re in for a real treat, as some of the more experimental and diverse songs can be found in the album’s bonus tracks. “Doesn’t Have To Be That Way” offers a psychedelic side of Gallagher’s sound, carried by surreal, gritty guitar work and gorgeous vocals. This contrasts nicely with the final song, “I Never Wanna Be Like You,” which, while somewhat dark, feels quite empowering.
At its core, As You Were is a very solid release from Liam Gallagher. There are truly no weak songs throughout the entire album – bonus tracks included – and this allows Gallagher to open up for a very transparent and honest release. Comforting songs like “Universal Gleam” contrast nicely with the more bitter ending of “I Never Wanna Be Like You,” providing listeners with a full emotional spectrum to sink their teeth into.
LISTEN TO “For What It’s Worth” or “Universal Gleam”
STAY CONNECTED WITH LIAM GALLAGHER: https://www.facebook.com/LiamGallagherOfficial/