Harper n Hubble are back with a new album called “Island in the city”, and once again, they’ve delivered something really special. This duo has become one of my favorite names to follow and I’ve had the chance to review most of their recent work. With this new release, they’ve taken things to another level.
The album features 14 tracks and is best experienced as a whole. It’s not easy to pick just a few songs to talk about because the entire album feels like one long beautiful journey. From start to finish, there’s a great mix of moods, styles and sounds that keep things fresh and exciting.
What really stands out is how strong the songwriting is. Every track is well-written and the melodies are catchy in the best way , the kind that get stuck in your head for all the right reasons. The production is also top-notch. You can feel the passion in every song, not just in the lyrics and vocals, but also in the rich, layered instrumentals. Harper n Hubble clearly love what they do and that energy comes through in every second of this album.
“I’ll Find You” is one of those songs that just stays with you. It’s full of emotion and has powerful vocals that really connect. The instrumentation in this one is especially strong, it’s carefully built and hits all the right notes emotionally.
The title track, “Island in the city” is another highlight. It has catchy guitar work, a smooth vocal delivery and lyrics that are easy to connect with. It has that warm and thoughtful vibe that makes you want to replay it a few times to catch every detail.
But my personal favorite is “I Remember”. The energy and the vibe of this song are just perfect. It stands out with its rhythm and the way it pulls you in. It’s lively but also has depth and I’ve found myself going back to it over and over.
For those who don’t know this duo, Harper n Hubble, made up of Paul Harper and Andy Hubble are two friends who clearly understand music and what it means to create something meaningful. Both have backgrounds in teaching music technology and sound production and that skill and experience really show in the quality of this album.
“Island in the city” is an album made with heart. You can tell that this duo care deeply about their sound and the stories they tell through their music. Every song feels personal and carefully crafted. If you enjoy thoughtful songwriting, rich melodies and passionate production, then this album is definitely worth your time.
ABOUT THE DUO:
“Harper n Hubble music” are two friends who decided to get together to combine their musical ideas.
Paul Harper n Andy Hubble initially worked in education teaching Sound Production/Music Technology at Sandwell College, Paul later went on to teach for Bournville College, while Andy stayed on at Sandwell.
It wasn’t until after they both had left education that they decided to form a recording, production and song-writing partnership. Paul had been working with other musicians and vocalists for a while, which saw a number of his songs released by these artists. Paul and his wife Lynda live in Shropshire, which gives him more time to relax, write and play. Also according to Lyn, on the days of the HnH recording sessions it gets Paul from under her feet!
Andy, has for some time been producing music for Relax Listen, which initially was a vehicle for music placement in film and television. After signing a music distribution deal he went on to release the albums featured on the Relax Listen section of this site.
Recently after leaving their previous distributor they have now set up their own record label Myvod Records.
