Do you enjoy listening to the sound of a guitar slowly drifting into your thoughts, creating its own microclimate within you? Survival by Harry Cleverdon is one of those albums that gently carries you away toward a summer sunset, when the day was hot and the evening promises a pleasant coolness and quiet warmth. The folk foundation is immediately noticeable — not dry or austere, but more vibrant, full — like a campfire crackling nearby while the first stars shimmer in the sky.

Harry Cleverdon — a name that feels familiar, even if you’re hearing him for the first time. His vocals are striking, and yet he simply sings. And he does so with that rare mix of honesty and gentleness that resists trends. Survival is his debut, and frankly, it’s surprising that it is. There’s no trace of early hesitation, no attempt to please everyone at once. It feels like he always knew how this album would sound, just waited for the right moment to let it happen.

Survival reveals a love for nature and a sharp attention to detail. Gusts of wind and rustling leaves appear between the lines, a quiet support to every rhythm. This music holds the sting of heartbreak, the lightness of newfound love, and a spark of hope when inner doubts gradually give way to the strength of the human spirit. At times, it seems as if each instrument speaks in its own voice, offering yet another story about resilience and belief in something better.

The title Survival directly hints at the idea of overcoming internal barriers and rebirth after difficult moments. As you listen, you notice that all 10 tracks are united by a common theme: no matter how hard it gets, there is always light and hope at the end. You might catch yourself thinking that, despite the stormy emotions Harry Cleverdon openly displays, there’s still an overall sense of positive resonance.

It’s remarkable that, in an album with ten tracks, it’s not easy to immediately pick favorites. Each track has its own unique “spark,” drawing you into the lyrics and making you catch small nuances in the sound. Some tracks feel light, almost as if they’re floating, while others are infused with romantic sadness, evoking personal memories. This range of tones turns the album into a complete journey through the life of someone experiencing different stages of life.

A 10-track Journey Worth Taking Without Distractions

It all starts with House of Cards — a track that should be perceived as a carefully laid foundation. You can hear how well Harry senses the moment: the balance between sensuality and commercially appealing sound is delicately and cleverly crafted. Following it is Empty Bottles, and here we’re in a completely different space — it’s warmer, more laid-back, summer at your fingertips. The rhythm keeps you afloat, while the keys and guitars in the chorus wrap around you as if you’re embraced by sunlight.

The tracks shift, but the mood remains impressively cohesive. The title song, Survival, is one of the most cinematic moments on the album. It’s a kind of melancholy that doesn’t drag you down — it lets you hover somewhere between thoughts. The guitar here sounds like an echo of an inner voice, slightly trembling but deeply honest. Nothing For Myself takes a different turn. This one feels like falling in love — not with a person, but with a fleeting moment in life.

Then comes Drunken Messiah — one of those rare songs that feels familiar even though you’re hearing it for the first time. And then Superman (Late Night Trance). Everything that makes Harry Cleverdon stand out blooms here. The guitars pick up a little pace, his voice flows freely and naturally. And you can tell. The production deserves special mention: the track breathes — there’s space, air, the pulse of reality. Know I Am Too is the true final note of the album — not loud, not celebratory, but confident. Folk blends here with jazzy overtones and Cleverdon’s bright vocals, the keys sway gently, and the atmosphere slides into something cozy and nearly nocturnal.

The commercial appeal of the material is worth noting, too. Many of the songs have melodic turns you find yourself humming throughout the day. It’s a quality often seen in solid country-folk: songs stick in your memory without wearing out their welcome, and they fit perfectly when you need a break from daily noise. On top of that, Survival is a great entry point for those who haven’t yet discovered Harry Cleverdon.

The album is varied enough to hold attention and will likely resonate with anyone who appreciates acoustic guitar, soft vocals, and storytelling rooted in lived experience. That’s where Survival finds its strength — beneath its surface warmth and ease, it carries a wide emotional range, and Harry Cleverdon is more than willing to share it with anyone willing to listen.

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub