Should the secret verse be that of which Chris Cleverley is proud of, then it is a secret worth seeking. His first release of new music in three years, and what a return that is. It just goes to show, the time taken working hard on the craft and the passion is as valuable as it is striking. Broadcast the Secret Verse is an extremely satisfying culmination of that effort – an initially brooding but surprisingly warm piece that relies on the acoustic charms of Cleverley and the lyrical inspiration he has been gifted with. These grand works are made all the better by seeking them out. Early memories of stumbling across Daniel Knox and his beautiful discography are a grand feeling, and Cleverley has that power too, the desire to seek great music out, to uncover the artists toiling away at a higher level than most in the mainstream.
That quality is clear throughout Broadcast the Secret Verse. Opening track Borderlands is a delicate and delightful opener that toys with its brief piano keys found later in the track. Cleverley is a talented core for Broadcast the Secret Verse to work through – his guitar plucking as integral as his wispy vocals and satisfying range of moods. Those that find themselves suckers for strings will be in awe of Chlorophyll, a track that again has the foundation of that guitar and vocal strength from Cleverley, but is not afraid to move on and beyond that. There is confidence where there should often be comfort and complacency, and it is a credit to the talented individuals coming together under Broadcast the Secret Verse that this piece feels so bold. Keep an ear out for Ouroboros too, arguably the best track on the album, for its culmination of layers is as impressive as it is stunning.
Where it may have been the second coffee of the day taking hold of the heart, the fearful Eight of Swords is as creeping as it is infectiously good. A near-six-minute epic that strikes through with glowering and wistful sighs and hums. “Is this even real to you,” Paradise proffers, one of many striking lyrics Cleverley holds out hope on. Nausea takes over with its beat, engulfing the lyrics and showing the presence of instrumental character, a shame that it draws away a tad too much from those strong poetries offered up by Cleverley. Broadcast the Secret Verse is in on the open secret of what works best – the lyrical charms experienced in Heraklion solidify that and present Cleverley as an engaged performer.
Seek it out, that secret verse. Bask in it and take in its warmth. Sophisticated acoustic riffs of that truly independent variety. Scuffed chords and squeaks that the housebound, wannabe musicians have tried to form into tracks for decades. Cleverley has succeeded and brought about great vision to the promising steps of a new range of form. Broadcast the Secret Verse is filled with quality that will nestle well with those needing an intimate, acoustic soundscape that relies just as much on strings as it does on the qualities Cleverley presents throughout. Delicate, refined and truly touching work.
