Project Description
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COREY LEGGE
‘WHAT NOW?’
Album Review
(10th March, 2022)
Review by Melanie Griffiths
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‘’A national treasure in the making’’ – ABC Country (Kath Devaney)
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Corey Legge the country-rock artist from Bega, NSW is back with his third album, “What Now?”. A collection of songs that was envisaged as a concept album relaying the stories that emerged from the Black Summer Bushfires of 2020 and the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic. Deeply personal and at times raw, “What Now?” is Corey’s mechanism to find purpose in adversity and to also acknowledge the contributions of everyday heroes such as emergency services personnel. Given the current flooding disaster now happening across the Eastern states, “What Now?” is even more relevant in its hopeful comforting themes.
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What Now?
Kicking off the album is the title track “What Now”?. The song sets the stage for the rest of the album detailing the confusion and heartbreak caused by the Black Summer Bushfires of 2020 and also hints at times set to become tumultuous. Despite its serious premise, “What Now” is a seriously rollicking blues-rock track complete with fierce handclapping and a thumping rhythm. It’s a bittersweet tone that continues to ripple through the rest of the album as Corey chants “What now?” throughout like a meditation where the answer will hopefully reveal itself.
Back In Time
“What if we could all just go back in time? What if we could just hit rewind?” in “Back In Time” Corey ruminates on the desire to go back to a simpler time. The feeling of want and regret tinge the song that ambles quietly with Corey musing to himself about an idealistic past. Reality is a hard pill to swallow sometimes and “Back In Time” seeks to find solace in better times. It’s a slow jam built around a waltz tempo that builds and crests with emotion in the final third in a wave of comfort.
Love You & Leave You
The vibe changes again with the sweet and cruisy “Love You & Leave You”. Featuring a slide guitar and hooky melody Corey departs a lover as he continues his life as a musician. The song has very similar undertones to another whimsical country-rock song, Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman’s “Stumbling In”. As with many country songs, “Love You & Leave You” speaks of heartache but its upbeat and relaxed mood becomes endearing to the listener. This one’s a winner when you want to unwind at the end of a long day.
April Fool
Corey dives deeper with “April Fool” an emotional alt-country song that aches with brevity. It’s a track that could easily point to the troubles experienced by so many over the last two years of natural disasters, pandemics and financial hardships. Corey seeks to tell the common man’s story in much like the same way that other songwriters like Paul Kelly and Passenger are adept with. Yet through the sorrow, Corey instils the song with a sense of possibility and hope. In Corey’s mind, things must surely get better even if the future remains unclear.
Cemetery Kids
In “Cemetery Kids”, Corey gives us an insight into not only his upbringing but also how that uncomplicated childhood shaped his perspective on life and fostered the connection between himself and the Australian environment Having grown up in Bega Corey conveys the simplicity and honest living of his family as they worked off the land. “Cemetery Kids” is a classic feel-good country-rock song that builds with momentum as Corey, voice exuding fond affection, regales more memories from his youth. It’s a song that perhaps hints at a time in his life when felt truly free. Tying into the other songs like “Your Blue Eyes”, “Cemetery Kids” shows why the bushfires and floods in NSW affected those communities so deeply.
Strangest Times
“Strangest Times” is a charming song that shows off Corey’s confessional and reflective songwriting style. With its sweeping romantic tone, Corey sings about the bizarre times we live in and the sense of wariness and need for self-preservation that we’ve built for ourselves.
With shades of Matt Nathanson, this is the kind of song that shows off Corey’s adeptness for projecting a comforting voice that soothes the listener even when the subject matter feels too hard to bear.
The Only Shirt I Own
Throughout “What Now?” Corey questions how are people supposed to be move on after tragedy, “you can never be the same here, as before the burning trees”. In “The Only Shirt I Own”, Corey brings this theme home by confronting the toll the last two years have taken. A slow jam, Corey is in no rush because the artist isn’t so sure where he’s supposed to go. Within all that the arrangement and Corey’s soothing vocals convey a sense of possibility and hope with the folk-country song nestles deeply in the listener.
Water Off A Duck’s Back
The album as it progresses in its second act begins to focus on the need for surrender. Corey weaves his songs with thoughtfully considered lyrics. If anything the further you delve into “What Now?” the clearer it becomes that Corey Legge is a seriously fine songwriter. This might be a concept album but he’s carefully pieced together chapters that touch on the resilience of spirit and something you could argue to that elemental to the Australian character. “Water Off A Duck’s Back” is a melodic inspiring journey.
Your Blue Eyes
Corey picks up the pace with the dance track “Your Blue Eyes”. A highly pleasing song that just exudes a joyous wonder and infatuation. “Your Blue Eyes” is if John Mayer and Passenger got together and wrote a song. Bluesy with a folk melody the song swaggers along a deep groove.
Invisible Enemy
As we come round the bend of this album’s journey Corey turns his sights on the horizon with “Invisible Enemy” a song that touches on the constant motion of life. Who is the invisible enemy? That isn’t so apparent but perhaps it’s Corey’s way of telling us that we should be aware and ready be it climate change, depression, social action or justice. Life is always going to throw a curveball but Corey feels stronger come what may. With an upbeat rhythm and airy background vocals giving the song a sense of space, “Invisible Enemy” is a track of quiet determination.
The Working Village Weeps
So what is it that you can take away from “What Now?” by the album’s final song “The Working Village Weeps”, it feels like a cathartic release is occurring like the rains have finally come in to wash away the pain. Corey’s concept album is actually a love letter, to the humble, unassuming Australians who live plain albeit rich lives. Our connection to the Australian landscape for work, and rejuvenation is a large aspect of our identity and even with the magnitude of the bushfires Aussies still helped each other and will rise again to rebuild. It’s an emotional final parting that paints a picture of devastation but like with all things, hints at rebirth.
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MARCH & APRIL 2022
Tour Dates:
Friday 4th March – Music Lounge – WOLLONGONG (NSW) w/ Genevieve Chadwick *^
Sunday 6th March – Wollombi Tavern – WOLLOMBI (NSW) +
Friday 11th March – Bar Open – FITZROY (VIC) w/ Åke and Nathan Seeckts *^
Saturday 12th March – Westernport Hotel – SAN REMO (VIC) *
Sunday 13th March – Channel Fest – RYE (VIC) *
Saturday 19th March – Upper Lansdowne Hall – UPPER LANSDOWNE (NSW) w/ The Swamp Stompers *^
Sunday 20th March – Grand Junction Hotel – MAITLAND (NSW) *
Friday 1st April – Django (Camelot Lounge, Marrickville) – SYDNEY (NSW) *^
Saturday 2nd April – Club Sapphire – MERIMBULA (NSW) w/ Genevieve Chadwick *^
Sunday 3rd April – The Southern Hotel – BERRY (NSW) *
Friday 8th April – Narooma Golf Club – NAROOMA (NSW) w/ Genevieve Chadwick *^
Sunday 10th April – Tumut River Brewing Co – TUMUT (NSW) w/ Riley Catherall +
Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st April – Tamworth Country Music Festival – TAMWORTH (NSW) +
* Band Shows
+ Solo Shows
^ Ticketed
Tickets available HERE
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Buy/Stream ‘WHAT NOW?’ HERE
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Follow COREY LEGGE
Website – Facebook – YouTube – Instagram
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Press Release 1st March 2022 (below) HERE
COREY LEGGE
releases new album
‘WHAT NOW?’
today
+ Album Launch Tour
begins this week
Buy/Stream ‘WHAT NOW?’ HERE
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