Album Review: The Drew Thomson Foundation – Self Titled

I’ve always maintained that there is no point releasing a solo album that sounds exactly like the band you are best known for, Drew Thomson is clearly of the same school of thought as his debut album as The Drew Thomson Foundation is a very different prospect to his output with Single Mothers. This self titled release shows a different side to Drew Thomson, this is an album that is more reflective and personal, the imminent release of his first solo effort via Dine Alone Records on the 6th September is one that follows in the wake of Thomson escaping from a ten year spiral of alcoholism, something that was a byproduct of suffering from depression and crippling anxiety, conditions that were also exacerbated by a life spent in the public eye.

On The Drew Thomson Foundation he is joined by bandmates and longtime collaborators, “Karma” immediately tells you that this is not continuation of Single Mothers, the melodic indie feel of the opening track gives way the country tinged “Stay“, every track has an autobiographical feel to it as he openly and honestly addresses his past, most notably on “Pace Yourself” with it’s refrain of “losing everything you’ve ever held dear”. There is a nod to Single Mothers embedded in the grooves in the shape of a drastic reworking of “People Are Pets“, but rather than a return to his roots Thomson delivers this in a piano led Rufus Wainwrightesque manner.

Foundation is well chosen word as that’s what I feel this album represents, something for Thomson to build on, it’s deeply personal and like anyone recovering from a long term addiction there are things that need to be put right. With The Drew Thomson Foundation he has delivered thirteen cathartic anthems that represent the soundtrack of a man rediscovering himself, but this is not done with self pity and guilt, rather there is a self deprecating and sarcastic tone to the album that satirises and addresses his own troubles, The Drew Thomson Foundation is a surprising road to redemption but it’s one that’s well worth travelling down.

You can find The Drew Thomson Foundation on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Twitter, 

The Drew Thomson Foundation can be pre-ordered here