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Philip Whitehead – ‘Cairo’ Single review

‘Cairo’ is the lead single from Philip Whitehead’s upcoming 4 track debut EP ‘Combray’ due out in September on Manchester imprint MUK KLUB.

The single is an emotive, breath takingly beautiful ode to love and loss, with the EP being written not long after the sudden passing of the singer’s mother.

One thing immediately apparent listening to Whitehead vocal delivery is the wonderful mix of old and new, with an undoubted nod to singer songwriters of yesteryear. There is the quirk of Neil Young in there, touches of Mike Scott of The Waterboys and ex Waterboy come World Party frontman Karl Wallinger, but in a very modern context, with contemporary musical and production touches carrying on from his more soulful ‘Winter’ release in 2018. Admirers of more current solo writers like Sam Fender, Ben Howard and the like will also definitely find something to enjoy here.

Starting as an intimate affair with the Londoner’s opening vocal drawing us in ‘Cairo’ gradually expands with the subtle introduction of a wonderful Waterboys-esque fiddle/violin adding a warm Celtic feel by the time we hit the first chorus lyric “if you want it girl, you wish it on the mountain stars and you can have it all”.

From there on in you are in the wilds, finding your way back to a warm fire, the chatter and laughter of friendly voices and the welcoming arms of your loved one as the musical and vocal layers reach out and wrap around you.

Definitely a track to be enjoyed with a glass of Jameson’s or the black stuff in hand, give it a whirl, we all like to sit and reminisce.

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