Photo: Songs for the Swung
Kenton Hall & The Necessary Measures return with Songs for the Swung, a richly layered chamber-pop record built on sharp storytelling, bruised optimism, and ambitious songwriting.
‘The Sun Shone Down’ opens the release with a beautiful arrangement and engaging performances. We adore ‘Have You Heard This One?’; it is fuelled by sharp storytelling set against a backdrop of magnetic melodies. In addition, ‘Heart Enough’ takes the record in a fresh direction through layered arrangements, brutally honest lyrics, and vibrant instrumentation.
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Moreover, ‘Make Her Proud’ is our favourite track on the album, thanks to its textured instrumentation and punchy lyricism. ‘Before You’ leans on charismatic performances and dynamic production, while ‘Strangely, I’m Feeling Much Better Today’ offers a gentle conclusion to the record with magnetic melodies and rich sonic depth.
Following the emotional weight of 2023’s Idiopath, this release feels noticeably more open and relaxed in places. There is still melancholy running through the album, but it no longer feels consumed by it. Instead, Songs for the Swung often feels reflective, warm, and surprisingly playful.
What I enjoyed most while listening was how unpredictable the arrangements can be. One moment the record feels intimate and stripped-back, and the next it opens into layered vocals, rich instrumentation, and theatrical flourishes that completely change the atmosphere. Despite that ambition, the album never feels overcrowded or like it is trying too hard to impress.
‘Lick of Paint’ stood out immediately thanks to its sharp writing and restless energy, while ‘The Sun Shone Down’ carries one of the album’s most uplifting moments without becoming overly sentimental. I also found myself returning to ‘Make Her Proud’, which balances melodic warmth with some of the record’s strongest lyrical moments.
By the closing moments of ‘Strangely, I’m Feeling Much Better Today’, the album feels less like a carefully polished concept record and more like a collection of lived-in moments and observations. That honesty gives Songs for the Swung much of its charm. One thing is for sure: Songs for the Swung needs to be on your new release playlist.
https://kentonhall.hearnow.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kenton.ist
https://twitter.com/KentonHall
https://kentonhallthenecessarymeasures.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-the-swung
https://www.instagram.com/kentonhall1/
FVMusicBlog May 2026
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