By Joe Vickrey
Have you ever found yourself drifting to sleep when all of the sudden you’re jolted awake by the horrible realization you forgot to do something important? Well, that was us here at Provo Music Magazine with reviewing Guy Richey Gibbons’ 2022 album In This Moment (A Musical Recording by Guy Richey Gibbons).
Combining various retro feels, a state-of-the-art studio, and a brilliant mind, Guy Richey Gibbons’ music sounds a bit like a more wholesome Wes Anderson film. In fact, his visuals for the album aren’t too far off of Anderson’s either. Never dwelling in the past for too long, In This Moment bounces the listener back and forth like a state fair rollercoaster. Is it ’60s soul? ’70s funk? Adult alternative? All of these sensations can come and go within a single verse. The listener isn’t stuck in one place long enough to label it. You get all of the excitement without the inevitable rollercoaster whiplash.
Beginning the album with the neo-jazz infused pop title track, “In This Moment” gives perspective and appreciation for losing sleep over a pretty girl and then losing sleep over a newborn child. It’s such a cute story adorned with clever melodies that’s adorned with funky synth lines and big drum fills. Light and upbeat, it sets the pace for the album.
“My Love” continues the fun with one of the most bumpin’ basslines to come out of the scene. It doubles down on every element found in the opener. Staccato trumpet lines, rhythmic vocal lines, and auxiliary percussion made this one of my favorite songs on the album. It seems near impossible to listen to this track and be in a bad mood.
Gibbons is a masterful piano player and his ability to write a diverse mix of keyboard driven songs shines through wonderfully. An array of electric and acoustic pianos, synths, and synthy strings keep the album flowing nicely. Proving he’s not just a smooth voice with a clean production, dude shows he can write with the best of them. The proof is in the bridges of these songs. Gibbons not only fulfills the purpose of having a bridge in the first place, but he has written next-level transitions that take his compositions to new places while still wrapping back to the choruses nicely.
Breaking from the overwhelming sense of positivity on the album, “The Truth is Killing Me and You” was my favorite ballad in the collection. I recognize that I’m a particularly wicked creature, but too much hope, goodwill for men, and affirmation exhausts me. I know that’s just personal preference, but I figured I’d mention it since there’s bound to be a couple of other brooding goblins reading this too. This sunset ballad refreshed me with its vintage Motown feel and George Martin-inspired orchestration.
My absolute favorite song on the album is “You’re the Only One,” which centers around a single fuzzy bass loop. Accented synths, resonant filter guitar parts, and even a momentary gospel choir backing had me looping this song while bobbing my head harder than a pigeon eating trash. This song has more hooks than a boxing match and it oozes with good vibes.
The ever-changing instrumentation of In This Moment keeps this album exciting from cover to cover. A good song is a good song regardless of genre or style, but when the production is this good, it’s hard to put down. Guy Richey Gibbons demonstrates his mastery over arranging and songwriting in an up-tempo, upbeat, and upscaled fashion. He writes songs that guarantee the listener will join him in exclaiming, “I think I’ll stay in this moment.”
Be sure to follow Guy Richey Gibbons on Instagram and check out “You’re the Only One” below!