Canadian artist Brett Kissel embarks on the most ambitious project in his career this year. Over the course of 2023 he intends to release ‘The Compass Project’ in four separate parts, ‘North’, South’, ‘East’ and ‘West’.
Speaking on today’s release, ‘South’, Kissel explains, “‘South’ is a straightforward, heartfelt, and authentic album that my fans would expect. This one has the heartbeat of Nashville pulsing through every song.” He’s not wrong. If you are looking for uptempo, slick, Pop-leaning Country that could ride the Nashville FM airwaves then ‘South’ will delight in many different ways. ‘East’ will be a stripped down, acoustic release, ‘West’ will be full of southern twang and western Country and ‘North’ will be a collection of his biggest songs performed live. What an exhausting but exhilarating year ahead!
If ‘South’ is to be the first of an avalanche of material from Kissel this year then he’s off to a strong start. The album fizzes with energy from beginning to end. The choruses are huge, the vibes are big and the whole thing is meant for radio. However, ‘South’ is not just a vacuous one trick pony. Look beneath the choruses and the huge melodies, particularly towards the final third of the album, and you’ll find some really hard-hitting melodies and really original songs.
‘South’ is jam-packed with choruses. Album opener ‘Never Have I Ever’ is a big Pop-Country anthem with serious Russell Dickerson overtones. Catchy, uplifting melodies will raise your spirits, even on the most dreariest of days. Similarly, ‘That’s Just You’, with its sneaky Katy Perry reference and terrifically catchy chorus about the unpredictability and duality of women, is designed just to put a smile on your face. ‘Ain’t the Same’, meanwhile, a track which features boyband 98°, is dripping in slick, smooth harmonies. It wouldn’t be out of place on an album from the song’s special guests at all.
Early stand-out track, ‘Our Home’ is a huge, drum-driven tribute to Canada. Uplifting & heartfelt, it comes to a big finish that will get you out of your seat and wanting to bang your fist on your chest in honour of the Great White North, no matter where you come from.
If you are looking for touchstones or influences on ‘South’ then you’ll find more than a passing nod to Keith Urban. ‘All I Ever Wanted’ is an infectious, drum-driven track with an explosive chorus that pays homage to Urban with the snappy cadence of its chorus. ‘Starts and Ends With You’, meanwhile, is a restrained, Bluesy, mid-tempo number that has a kind of ‘Blue Ain’t Your Colour vibe to it.
The real beating heart of ‘South’, however, is in its final third. Just when some artists would be running out of steam and looking to round out the project with filler, Kissel comes in strong with the best tracks he has!
The double whammy of ‘First Place’ and ‘Standing in the Dark’ are where the heart of the originality lies on this album. The former is an atmospheric, darker song. Kissel sings about being dumped. It explodes into a bridge/chorus combo that screams radio hit to me. He reprimands himself for not having 20/20 vision and not for not seeing the separation coming as he sings, ‘I should never put her second in the first place.’ The song progresses into a nifty guitar solo and a final third that has echoes of Australian artists Savage Garden alongside the ubiquitous Keith Urban. ‘Standing in the Dark, meanwhile, is a Western influenced Country Rock song with a hint of great songwriters like Richard Marx. It even strays into Survivor or Toto territory with its heady mix of sounds and influences.
As the album gallops towards its climax you’ll find a cover of Springsteen’s ‘Cadillac Ranch’. Kissel turns this niggly Rock song into a dance hall, honky tonk romp! The introduction of fiddles is a genius move as he goes about ‘tearing up the highway like a big old dinosaur.’ You’ll also find the aforementioned ‘That’s Just You’ and Line in the Sand’. ‘Line in the Sand’ rounds out the original part of the album with some restrained, chugging acoustic guitars and some rich, intense vocals. Kissel sings about pride and standing up for what you believe in. ‘Hate me if you want to but this is my line in the sand.’ Classy vibes and an original subject matter go a long way towards making the second half of ‘South’ a real treat to listen to.
Speaking on the album, Kissel explains, “The Compass Project is without question the most ambitious project I’ve ever undertaken. It’s also the one I’m most excited about. The complete project includes four full-length albums. At this point in my life and career, I want to tap into all of the different quadrants that represent and guide me as a person. Those themes resonate in the distinct direction I take on each album!”
‘South’ is a fantastic start to this ambitious project. It’s packed with huge, radio-friendly choruses but lurking beneath the FM gloss is a bunch of original and interesting songs. The Pop / Rock influences of Dickerson and Urban loom large across all the songs. If you get off on infectious choruses and bombastic melodies then ‘South’ will hit home for you every time. But there’s more to ‘South’ than just surface level living. Look beyond the choruses, particularly in that strong second half, and you’ll find a set of really original and very interesting songs that do unusual things and have a lot to say for themselves. Kissel is in for a busy 2023 and if ‘South’ is anything to go by, he’s going to have a an immensely productive one too.
Tracklist: 1. Never Have I Ever 2. Watch It 3. Ain’t the Same 4. Our Home 5. Starts and Ends With You 6. All I Ever Wanted 7. First Place 8. That’s Just You 9. Standing in the Dark 10. Line in the Sand 11. Cadillac Ranch Record Label: Big Star Recordings / Onerpm Release Date: 27th January Buy ‘South’ now
