NICK MULVEY – ARTIST SPOTLIGHT & SINGLE REVIEW

By Ralph Beauchamp

British singer/songwriter Nick Mulvey just released his new single entitled “Freedom Now”. “Freedom Now,” is a cross-cultural musical collaboration transcending borders, and performed together with Iranian superstar Golshifteh Farahani and Grammy Award-winning Pakistani artist, Arooj Aftab. The song was produced by The Parisi Brothers (Ed Sheeran, Fred Again..). The track is a cry for the world to end oppression and injustice and Mulvey is donating all his profits from the song to Choose Love. Choose Love is an organization that works with refugees and displaced people worldwide.

Mulvey was a founding member of Portico Quartet. Portico Quartet is an instrumental band from London, United Kingdom. They are known for their use of the hang, a modern percussion instrument. Their debut album, Knee-Deep in the North Sea, was nominated for the 2008 Mercury Prize and was Time Out’s Jazz, Folk and World album of the year 2007. Mulvey left the ensemble in 2011 to pursue a solo career.

Nick‘s sound is both unique and singular. He is basically an indie artist but his songwriting caters to finding new horizons. He uses traditional techniques with experimental intonations to create something totally original. Mulvey‘s use of intercultural rhythms is refreshing and exceptional. His early EPs were The Trellis (2012) and Fever to the Form (2013). His Mercury Prize nominated debut album, First Mind (2014), was a critical success. 2017 brought his sophomore release, Wake Up Now. His latest full length is New Mythology (2022) which showcases beautiful melodies and emotive vocals. Every song is a magical gem filled with intoxicating inflections.

The new single, “Freedom Now” is mystical and light yet the theme is all important. The strumming guitar is lush with spellbinding textures. Mulvey’s vocals are brazenly silky. The harmonies are beautiful and stirring. The sublime arrangement is full of inspirational fire. The collaboration with Farahani and Aftab is monumental. Each brings a meaningful aural assault that totally blends with Mulvey‘s inspiring voice.

Even though the music is exquisite, The song’s message is meaningful in today’s society. The world is on the verge of self destruction. Wars have flared up everywhere and politics have overtaken the needs of humanity. This is a world about to explode. Mulvey‘s theme is one of love and liberation. “Freedom Now” is a anthem for the citizens of this planet to accept all people as they are. Forget race, religion and gender and embrace that we are all the same. Without sympathy and love, this planet is doomed. Mulvey may not be a prophet but his sense of morality is essential if we want to survive.

Speaking about the track, Arooj Aftab expounds: “The intense relentless patriarchy of this world is astonishingly painful and brutal. My voice is the mirror of this pain of women across the realm. My voice is a plea to return to women what has been stolen from them in our societies. Their humanity and autonomy. Please join your voice with mine, the world will be better for it, I promise.“

Philli Boyle, Choose Love founder, says: “We are truly honored to be a part of the story for the powerful and inspiring Freedom Now and so grateful to Nick, Goldshifteh and Arooj. Everyone deserves freedom and the opportunity to flourish and this is at the heart of everything we do at Choose Love. Proceeds from the song and anything that supporters donate will help ensure we can continue this work.”