‘Make Me Smile’ is the debut EP from Tommy Ball. Having previously been a part of Mancunian four-piece Dantevilles, Blackburn-born Jamie Gallagher, now using the pseudonym Tommy Ball, is well acquainted with making great music, as is crystal clear with these latest tracks.
Summoning a wide range of influences and genres, such as jazz, rock, folk and alt-pop, Tommy Ball has produced an eclectic collection of tracks. The entire EP makes great use of Tommy’s soulful vocals and impressive guitar, as well as additions from Keita Derby’s plucky basslines and Aidan Allinson on drums.
In three tracks, Tommy successfully takes us on a journey of emotions as we begin with the upbeat edge of ‘Make Me Smile’, to then take it down a notch with the sultry ‘Lost in Paradise’ and finish off by drifting away to the dreamy tones of ‘Pink Graveyard’.
Across the EP, Tommy demonstrates his aptitude for mustering up relatable narratives through poetic lyrics. With such a diverse range of music styles that transcend beautifully from one to the other, the whole EP provides little moments and plenty of opportunities to feel deeply – whatever the emotion.
The first track, the album’s namesake, gives us an upbeat guitar with drums to match, as well as rustic layered vocals to accompany Tommy’s syrupy sweet voice. ‘Make Me Smile’ is the ultimate pick-me-up track – one to stick on to bring a little sunshine to a grey day. Singing of adding colour to empty spaces, Tommy evokes a feeling that by starting a-new, eventually, things do get better. It’s the melodic embodiment of flipping that frown, upside down.
‘Lost in Paradise’ and ‘Pink Graveyard’ switch up the mood, turning down the proverbial dimmer on the bright light of ‘Make Me Smile’. ‘Lost in Paradise’ perfectly emulates the feeling of spending time with your newfound love that makes even the deadliest of silences palatable. On the other hand, ‘Pink Graveyard’s’ elongated introduction is the perfect way to bring the EP to a close, as a dark and folksy tone builds up to a sing-a-long chorus and a big finish with layered vocals and cymbal-led drums.
As a newly solo artist, Tommy Ball has set the bar high with the release of this EP.
Written by Charlotte Niblett
