

The debut full-length from British pop star Henry Moodie is firmly rooted in reality. Though he rose to fame on social media, the problems and puzzles he sings of here muse on what happens when the phone screens shut off and real life begins. The opening title track is a straightforward, rock-leaning autobiographical reflection, with Moodie introducing himself to new listeners. “I love the late nights, I hate the headlines, the clothes I’m wearing, and my reflection,” he sings. Maturing in the spotlight isn’t always smooth sailing. “growing pains” is a piano ballad that finds Moodie touching on similar themes, almost mournful of the dumb mistakes he made as a kid because they signaled a simpler time. “comedown” builds around a catchy piano melody and a gymnastic vocal performance from Moodie. Here, he showcases what else is on the mind of a twentysomething dude: dating. His perspective shifts, readily acknowledging that a comedown means that something worth it came before the heartbreak.