Award-winning songwriter Keith Mullins has dropped a double release with his two latest albums, Onward and Upward. With two East Coast Music awards and six awards from Music Nova Scotia since his musical debut at 15 years old, the Cape Breton singer-songwriter is no stranger to good tunes, and proves it once, or maybe twice, again.
Right off the bat, most of us will be able to make the connection between the two albums via the popular saying “onward and upward.” Upon listening, however, listeners will discover very quickly that Mullins is a man of many methods.
“This album embodies the encouragement of love, positivity, honesty with oneself, and moving forward in life,” Mullins remarks. “But the pop album (Onward/Free Falling on a Feeling) is more in reference to love and relationships. The folk roots (Upward/Howlin’ At The Moon) is more through local stories.”
And there are gems aplenty in both. Onward’s alternative titular track, “Free Falling on a Feeling,” pulls you in with a feel-good, bluesy rhythm about happiness itself before interjecting with a few cheeky hip-hop lines. “Breakable,” meanwhile, with its subtle maraca, and synths and soft-spoken drums and vocals, makes for a very delicate tune. Appropriate, given the title.
“Beautiful Mind”‘s rhythmic lyrics, twangy, uplifting strings, and spunky drums also make it a must-listen. Other standouts include “Villain For Life,” a high-energy blues track about dealing with haters, “Don’t Look Down,” which explodes into a light-hearted burst of major keys after a beautiful keyboard melody, and “Pour Your Heart Into It,” which has supremely interesting percussion, and also sounds like a few synths are tucked away in there.
Meanwhile, in the land of Upward, we’ve got some equally enthralling tunes going on. “Howlin’ At The Moon,” the lead track, expertly combines snappy lyrics and steady instrumentation for a folk tune that’s groovy, yet atmospheric. “Dead Man’s Pond,” meanwhile, is one of the most enrapturing tracks between the two albums, with toned-down energy and three of the twangiest instruments under the sun that perfectly encapsulates the local story theme on Upward.
“Where The River Meets The Ocean” fulfills this as well, with its excellent balance of pacing and energy creating a deep, melodic trance; an excellent adventure anthem. “The Sound,” meanwhile, is a candid little tune about finding inspiration, while “Never Separate” is an adorable, short little lullaby. “The Rivermower” is also a standout, with distinct strings that give it a very East Coast folk kick.
With inspiration bursting at the seams from a duplet of albums, each of them pouring out positivity in their own way, Mullins was very upbeat about his creative process and was quite happy with the end result.
“I take everything out creatively,” Mullins says. “These albums are the product of all that. I’m super proud looking back at how positive I was through it all.”