Short but sweet four-track EP release from 20-year-old Newman has echoes of Ronnie Lane.
‘You and Me’ is a four-track EP release from emerging UK artist Myles Newman. Originally from Shropshire but now London-based, Newman is credited as songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist on all the songs, playing drums, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and keys. A fan of vintage gear, Newman recorded the EP using reel to reel tape machines and analog equipment and confesses to a range of 70’s influences including the Allman Brothers Band, Ronnie Wood, and Neil Young. Although not name-checked, his arrangements carry strong echoes of Ronnie Lane, Slim Chance era. The lo-fi approach, with simple percussion and acoustic guitar-led arrangements, is tastefully delivered and avoids overwhelming Newman’s gentle relaxed vocals, which sit low down in the mix, rather in the style of JJ Cale, also quoted as an influence.
Stand out track is the EP closer ‘You Know’, with a repeated melodic electric guitar motif defining the track, as Newman sings “Where is my lover/I call her by her name/I wish she’d come over/ got some words I’d like to say/you know it don’t come easy/I want it more than you know”.
Opening track ‘New Day’ is gently melodic, while the title track ‘You and Me’ is more up-tempo, with a spoken hook “Hey baby/it’s looking like/it’s looking like/ it’s just you and me”.
20 years old, Newman has already attracted attention from BBC 6 Music Introducing, BBC Radio Midlands Introducing, BBC Radio West Midlands, and BBC Radio Shropshire and is building a fan base through regular touring. If there is a critical note to be struck, it’s that additional instrumentation would add depth to the tracks, as would harmony or backing vocals.
Nonetheless, a promising release with a developing style sets Newman apart from the contemporary crowd.
