Toronto's Wes Allen already has an impressive resume, given that Funny Thing, a brief three-track EP, is his debut release. Allen collaborated with Daniel Caesar on the soul singer's 2017 record Freudian, which made Allen a Juno Award winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He's also played with Whitney Rose, Jessie Reyez, Sarah Harmer, Alessia Cara and lots more. But on Funny Thing, Allen shows that he is ready to step into a spotlight of his own.
Produced by Chester Hansen of BadBadNotGood, Funny Thing is a soulful folk record that, sonically, goes into deep relaxation territory. Allen's voice is pushed to the front, as playful guitar picking, rich bass lines and lightly twinkling synths groove in the background. Allen's voice comes in crystal clear as a result, as if he's sitting right beside you.
A kiss is on Allen's mind during the EP's first two tracks. "Ask Me Now" is about that post-breakup moment when you almost become convinced that things could work out. "I know it would be wrong, and right, but I would fall apart at just one kiss," Allen sings, elongating "kiss" to stave off the answer to his proposal. Then the "1 Kiss" on the following track is again a symbol of hope: "But give me one kiss," he begs.
On the sparse "Funny Thing," Allen decides to finally let go of his past love — we even hear birds chirping in the EP's final moments to really hit home the idea that a new day has dawned. "But what comes next? Who knows…" sings Allen on his closing track. What feels certain though is Allen's bright future.
(Independent)Produced by Chester Hansen of BadBadNotGood, Funny Thing is a soulful folk record that, sonically, goes into deep relaxation territory. Allen's voice is pushed to the front, as playful guitar picking, rich bass lines and lightly twinkling synths groove in the background. Allen's voice comes in crystal clear as a result, as if he's sitting right beside you.
A kiss is on Allen's mind during the EP's first two tracks. "Ask Me Now" is about that post-breakup moment when you almost become convinced that things could work out. "I know it would be wrong, and right, but I would fall apart at just one kiss," Allen sings, elongating "kiss" to stave off the answer to his proposal. Then the "1 Kiss" on the following track is again a symbol of hope: "But give me one kiss," he begs.
On the sparse "Funny Thing," Allen decides to finally let go of his past love — we even hear birds chirping in the EP's final moments to really hit home the idea that a new day has dawned. "But what comes next? Who knows…" sings Allen on his closing track. What feels certain though is Allen's bright future.