Recording and releasing demos at only thirteen, the singer made his professional solo debut in 2018 and has since released several EPs to build on a solid and ever-growing discography. His latest is being dubbed a mini-album, being just over 30 minutes long, with ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ seeing the artist hone his craft and ultimately showcase exactly what he can bring to the table. Bedfordshire’s finest slots perfectly into the indie-pop genre – both aesthetically and musically – and manages to perfect the combination of fun and sophistication in every release to date.
‘Shady’ welcomes the listener in with open arms and sees Templeman make use of an ‘airport announcement’ intro – being an unusual, intriguing, and ‘edgy’ choice all at once. An energetic bassline accompanied by a compelling drumbeat commands your attention from the outset and is soon joined by a lively guitar riff alongside Templeman’s vocals. As composed as ever, his storytelling skills see him take each verse to the next effortlessly, whilst boasting his vocal ability and range.
A groovy bassline carries the first track into ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ seamlessly and sees Templeman uphold the strong summer vibes that shine through the entirety of the record. Synth elements can be heard in the undertones of the track, with various nods towards his 80s influences both here and also in the line “Marvin sings about healing”, referencing Marvin Gaye’s legendary single, Sexual Healing. A simple yet effective approach sees Templeman produce a chorus that is both memorable and polished – one you will find yourself singing for days on end.
The third track, ‘Hideaway’, seems to be hidden away itself in the shadows of its counterparts. Nevertheless, another well-composed track that sees Templeman’s production as impeccable. Despite being slower in tempo than those that come both before and after, and perhaps also more sombre than the rest, the strong bassline drives the melody and ensures that it still makes its mark within the album as a whole.
‘Wait, I Lied’ finds us at the mid-point of the mini-album, and prides itself on its toe-tapping instrumentation. A snappy bassline paired with a clever bouncy percussion sound takes us to a hushed chorus that adds a fresh dynamic to the record and also sets the track apart from the rest. It also seems as if the listener enters into a personal conversation with the singer, proving his lyrical maturity and ingenuity.
A faded introduction for ‘Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody’ transitions flawlessly into a synth and drum beat collaboration and closely echoes another 80s classic, Tears For Fears. The use of a miniature saxophone adds that extra something that showcases Templeman’s creative flair and vision which may suggest that this is only the beginning for what could be an exciting young artist.
Yet another bass-driven tune, ‘Film Scene Daydream’ opens with a light, airy, strings ensemble, and sees the singer somewhat more subdued in his lyrics. However, the chorus picks up to provide the catchy serotonin boost that has been at the forefront throughout the entirety of the 30 minutes and also sees the inclusion of a wah-wah pedal to stylise yet another unique Templeman track. Much like its predecessors, it is a melody that is sure to get stuck in your head for days.
Nearing the end of the mini-album, ‘To You’ is an elegant composition with subtle vocals and a steadier drumbeat. The elements of synth that have been included throughout the release are less prominent in the latter half, but still, stress his influence and musical experimentation that he has been able to incorporate when writing during the lockdown. Undoubtedly no less catchy, however, and still exceptionally produced, it simply highlights the talent that Templeman possesses and is yet to build on as he develops as an artist.
The closing track emphasises this even further, as it proves that the singer-songwriter is prepared to push the boundaries with ‘One More Day’ being a delicate, stand-out track. Offering something alternative, the duet with Irish singer-songwriter April offers a classy yet dreamy melody. In a statement, Templeman said that he “wanted to make something that sounded like the soundtrack to a sunset”, and this is exactly the mood he is able to convey through a deeper, atmospheric sound.
Templeman’s mini-album is one that is undeniably driven by a strong bass and synth duet, with a modern twist that boasts the singer’s irrefutable talent. For a release that precedes his debut album, and one that is only the foundations of what he can achieve, the singer is free to explore, and perfect, whatever avenue he chooses to go down next.
Forever Isn’t Long Enough is available to stream on all major music platforms and available to buy in both CD and Vinyl format from the singer’s online store: https://alfietempleman.tmstor.
Alfie Templeman embarks on his Forever Isn’t Long Enough Tour in March next year, and will be performing at the following dates:
2nd March 2022 – The Cluny, Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd March 2022 – Saint Luke’s, Glasgow
4th March 2022 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
5th March 2022 – Gorilla, Manchester
8th March 2022 – The Leadmill, Sheffield
9th March 2022 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
10th March 2022 – O2 Institute2, Birmingham
11th March 2022 – Thekla, Bristol
12th March 2022 – Patterns, Brighton
16th March 2022 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
18th March 2022 – The Academy, Dublin
Buy tickets here: https://www.alfietempleman.
Lauren Whitehead
Instagram: @laurenwhiteheadjourno
Twitter: @LaurenJourno_
Image: ALFIE TEMPLEMAN – FOREVER ISN’T LONG ENOUGH OFFICIAL ALBUM COVER
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