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The bluesy undertones of Al Shalliker’s latest single are absolutely infectious. ‘Time Out Of Mind’ is a fast-paced, gentle blues number in a major key that drips with personality.

Singer and songwriter Al Shalliker is based in Plymouth, England, and his sound, defined by acoustic guitars, bass, harmonica, and his own gritty and soulful voice, is pretty outstanding. By sticking to stripping the sound back to its roots, Al Shalliker is developing his songwriting from his 2021 debut album Silver Linings by finding ways to pen down intricate and engaging songs with such a limited palette of colors.

Still largely stripped back and folksy, ‘Time Out Of Mind’ is wholly embracing the blues. A gentler and less dark version of the Mississippi blues, some whole century after its onset, the brooding, acoustic guitar groove sounds at once fresh and familiar, the blaring harmonica, wailing in the right speaker background, adds so much charm and charisma to the formula of this timeless sound. Al Shalliker’s witty lyrics and distinctive vocal delivery are the cherry on top of a rather delicious pie.

‘Time Out Of Mind’ breaks ground by remaining as stripped back as it is, while remaining as engaging as it is. A hallmark of a brilliant songwriter, Al Shalliker’s formula has been working wonders since his debut, and there seems to be no slowing down in sight.