Written by Cameron Wyatt
Tom Misch is back with a bang following his break from the spotlight, with his new album ‘Full Circle’ looking like his most personal and reflective work yet. We went to KEF Music Gallery the day before the release for an exclusive first listen in their Immersive rooms, and it was everything it lived up to be.
Following his most recent projects ‘Quarantine Sessions’ & ‘What Kinda Music’, Tom had to take some time away from music to focus on himself and his mental health, citing the intensity of the industry. He shared earlier in the year that his time away was very needed and formative for him to be able to explore himself outside of music, whilst also being able to have the time and space to ‘tinker away’ at what would eventually become ‘Full Circle’.
The album dives head first into Tom’s journey of finding himself outside of music, with ‘Flowers in Bloom’ serving as the perfect introduction to such a vulnerable and candid album. It immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album – a mellow & honest opener, which reflects an acceptance of change and growth. In doing so, it signals a shift from his past work like ‘Geography‘, which leaned much more into jazzy beats and rhythm. ‘Full Circle’ lets vulnerable & raw songwriting take the wheel, supported by rich instrumentals and riffs, that almost make you forget just how personal Misch’s lyricism really is. Tracks like ‘Red Moon’, ‘Slow Tonight’ and ‘Echo From The Flames’ show that, whilst the focus & themes in the music may have changed, Tom’s ear for groove hasn’t gone anywhere, and fans who enjoyed his earlier work will still find plenty to adore in this album.
Tom’s connection to his friends and family is a prominent theme throughout the album, with ‘Sisters With Me’ exploring the relationships he has built with his sisters throughout his life, and ‘Old Man’ delving into his growing similarities to his father. These moments highlight the rebuilding he has done in his life since taking time away from music, focusing on his relationships, and what life means when stepping away from fame and music. This honesty allows listeners to find themselves relating and reflecting on themselves in the same way Tom does, which is something that brings the album together in an amazing way, with Tom’s honesty and vulnerability allowing for a connection to be made with the listener.
As the album progresses, the latter songs highlight the progression Tom has made in his time away, and the nostalgia he has for the connections he’s made, and the experiences he’s been through. This is prominent on the outro to the album, ‘Days of Us’, which, when compared to the intro, ‘Flowers in Bloom’, brings to life the true meaning of the album, bringing the project full circle to display how Tom has grown in the last few years.
Whilst this album is a clear change in themes from Misch’s previous albums, you can see serious personal development, and contentment with what it is in life that makes him who he is. Crucially, none of this takes away from the music from a listeners perspective, and instead, adds to it massively. As far as first listens to an album go, this is one of the most enjoyable, and moving, in recent years.
