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If When Rivers Meet were feeling any pressure in following up 2023’s UK Official Album Charts Top 10 entry ‘Aces Are High’, then they are certainly not showing it on the new album ‘Addicted To You’. Instead, buoyed by the acclaim and confidence that being the first independent Rock/Blues band to achieve such a feat brought, the husband-and-wife duo, Grace & Aaron Bond, have doubled down and, to an extent, tinkered a little with the When Rivers Meet DNA.
The biggest difference between ‘Addicted To You’ and previous albums is that guitarist/vocalist Aaron Bond has taken on more lead vocals this time around. Whereas before, the spotlight was more on Grace Bond’s lead vocals and co-vocals between the pair, with ‘Addicted To You’, there seems to be a concentrated effort to push Aaron further forward. Or, at least that’s the impression the listener might come to after devouring the opening pair of the title track and ‘Break Free’. Coincidentally, the same two tracks were the first singles to be released from the album.
The title track is the perfect album opener as it highlights growth in the songcraft department and the different textures that expanding the WRM line-up to a six-piece brings.
It’s quite an instant opener with the trademark co-vocals giving way to Aaron’s deep vocals being more prominent in the mix. The track has a fantastic percussive feel, and through a decent pair of cans, it’s almost like drummer James Fox is sitting alongside you tapping out a pattern on your head. Add in some short bursts of wah-wah guitar, subtle keyboard grooves, and a gorgeous acoustic outro, and it’s a thrilling way to start the album.
Aaron takes over centrestage on ‘Break Free’ and in all honesty, nails it. Any significance to the song title? Perhaps Mr. Bond needed a gentle nudge to break free and step up to the plate. Who knows? But he owns the moment and expect more lead vocals from him on future albums if ‘Break Free’ is anything to go by.
‘Still Standing’ has the band back on more familiar swampy, bluesy territory with multi-instrumentalist Grace Bond delivering her usual earthy, organic top-quality vocals. The addition of gang backing vocals is a nice touch as it adds a little oomph to proceedings, and watch out for this one being in the setlist for years to come. ‘Coming Up For Air’ is perhaps the best example of the huge growth in songcraft that ‘Addicted To You’ showcases. The combination of Aaron’s low vocals, with Grace’s ethereal touch, is spellbinding, and as the song gradually builds with some gentle piano strokes, the volume increases, but where an explosion of sound would normally land for the closing moments, When Rivers Meet show restraint in allowing the song to fade out naturally and in doing so give it a mysterious feel.
‘Never Change’ has been likened to KT Tunstall, and yeah, there is that vibe in places, but it’s just as easy to pick up on a Black Keys feel here and there. It highlights Grace and Aaron pushing the envelope further, and the jaunty pace, driven by the drums (as is the rustic ‘Soft White Sand’), is addictive. If When Rivers Meet were ever to appear on TV’s ‘Later With Jools Holland’, this would be one of the songs. Emotive ballad ‘Tree of Life’ might just be the other. On this slow-burning epic, the co-vocals might be the centrepiece, but it is Grace who steals the show and further cements her growing reputation as one of the best vocalists on the circuit today. If groovy fucker Jools allowed a third song, then the Zeppelin-tinged folk-rock of ‘Don’t Wanna Fight’ is edging ahead in that race (loving the funky keyboard flourishes).
Ending with an open love letter to their legions of fans (known as “Rapids”) in the guise of the self-titled ‘When Rivers Meet’, ‘Addicted To You’ is a special album. Grace and Aaron could have gone with ‘Aces Are High 2’, and more than likely, not many would have complained. Instead, they have added a few extra ingredients to the gumbo pot and delivered their hottest (and most mainstream) album thus far. The stock might be the same, tried and trusted, but those little extras make all the difference.
Available on May 23rd, via One Road Records. More information, HERE.
Catch When Rivers Meet live in May:
May 23 – Glasgow, Oran Mor
May 24 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
May 26 – Southampton, The Brook
May 29 – Norwich, The Waterfront
They will also be supporting the legendary Blue Oyster Cult at the London Palladium on May 25th.
For tickets visit https://whenriversmeet.co.uk/shows
Portrait image – Rob Blackham
Live images – Dave Jamieson/Rob Wilkins
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