Human Love is the fifth studio album by British singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner. It was released on 20 November 2015 through BMG.[1]

Human Love
Studio album by
Released20 November 2015 (2015-11-20)
Recorded2015
GenreFolk rock, pop rock, indie rock
Length37:48
LabelBMG
Newton Faulkner chronology
Studio Zoo
(2013)
Human Love
(2015)
Hit the Ground Running
(2017)
Singles from Human Love
  1. "Get Free"
    Released: 27 November 2015

Promotion

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The album was promoted by a cover of Major Lazer's song "Get Free", which was released as the lead single on 27 November 2015.[2] A music video for the song, in which Faulkner cuts off his trademark dreadlocks to mark a beginning of a new chapter in his career,[3] was released on 15 September 2015.[2][4]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Audio Addict9/10[5]
London Evening Standard     [6]
Renowned for Sound     [7]
Música Nueva     [8]

Writing for Renowned for Sound, Brandon Veevers awarded Human Love five out of five stars and commented that the album was "easily [Faulkner's] finest work since his debut album," Hand Built by Robots (2007). "Human Love showcases Faulkner as a gifted guitarist, a versatile performer and a truly sublime vocalist with an unrivaled songwriting talent. Moving effortlessly between somber ballads like the minimalist 'Break' and the eclectic and quirky 'Can I Be Enough' through to world-scented toe tappers like 'Up Up and Away' and 'Far to Fall', Faulkner has raised the bar yet again and delivered a truly exceptional collection."[7]

In a mixed review for the London Evening Standard, Andre Paine noted that "Faulkner emerged as a rootsy songwriter ... and that energy is intact on the clattering 'Up Up and Away', the blues-pop of 'Stay and Take' and the world music rhythms of 'Far to Fall'," however, the albums was "polished but occasionally forgettable."[6]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Newton Faulkner, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get Free"3:33
2."Up Up and Away" 3:34
3."Step in the Right Direction" 3:09
4."Passing Planes" 3:26
5."Stay and Take" (featuring Tessa Rose Jackson) 3:11
6."Break" 4:03
7."Far to Fall"
3:07
8."Can I Be Enough" 3:42
9."Gone" 2:28
10."Shadow Boxing" 3:55
11."Human Love" 3:40
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Get Free" (Acoustic)3:23
13."Human Love" (Acoustic)3:47
14."Gone" (Acoustic)2:53
15."Far to Fall" (Acoustic)3:19
16."Step in the Right Direction" (Acoustic)3:28

Personnel

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  • Newton Faulkner – lead vocals, guitar
  • Tessa Rose Jackson – vocals (track 5)
Technical personnel[3]

Charts

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Chart (2015) Peak
position
Irish Albums (IRMA)[9] 82
UK Albums (OCC)[10] 41

References

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  1. ^ Baines, Huw (15 September 2015). "Newton Faulkner Confirms November Release For 'Human Love' And UK Tour". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Newton Faulkner announces new album". The List. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Newton Faulkner November tour announced". music-news.com. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Newton Faulkner announces new album Human Love and full UK tour". HMV. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  5. ^ "REVIEW: Newton Faulkner – Human Love". Audio Addict. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b Paine, Andre (20 November 2015). "Newton Faulkner - Human Love, album review: 'doesn't quite deliver'". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b Veevers, Brandon (11 November 2015). "Album Review: Newton Faulkner – Human Love". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  8. ^ Elia, Alessandro (2015) "HUMAN LOVE by Newton Faulkner album review Archived 2015-11-26 at the Wayback Machine", Música Nueva, 21 November 2015.
  9. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 48, 2015". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  10. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 November 2015.