Ben Howard – Keep your Head Up

Riding on the crest of the acoustic folk wave, UK singer-songwriter Ben Howard releases his 3rd and latest single ‘Keep your Head up’

Blessed with a quirky, uncertainly soulful voice, Ben’s latest has that ‘lazy day’s of summer appeal’, the sort of sound that encompasses a traditional (if not rare) slice of British sunshine, part Paolo Nutini, part Ryan Adams, albeit with rather dark lyrical edge.

Perfectly constructed for Ben’s uniquely descriptive tone, gentle acoustic strums and rim click beats build slowly to a rousing harmonious outro, the life affirming hook of the chorus ‘Keep your head up, Keep your heart strong’ echoes long in the mind after just the first listen.

With a heartwarming video to match, so quintessentially English that you can’t fail to break a smile, the single serves as a lead up to his debut album, ‘Every Kingdom’ due out on the 3rd October.

With a European tour to follow, the rest of 2011should see the Devonshire born artist gain further recognition to both diehard folk and mainstream music fans alike.

3 out of 5.

Ben Howard ‘Keep your Head up’ is released on Island and records, available now.

By James Stapleton

Twitter.com/realJstapleton