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Sep 08, 2012 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Songs for Walter is the project of one Laurie Hulme, a Manchester resident who, just this Spring, released his debut EP on Bleeding Gold in the U.S. The four songs on this 7” wax are melodic slices of bedroom pop, ostensibly written about Hulme’s late grandfather, Walter. “Meet Me at the Empire” is a charming tale of his grandparents’ first date, and “Purple Blue” is a brief tale of train trips, love, and a wedding with the groom dressed in “purple blue.”

Truthfully though, the grandfatherly lyrical content is not easily apparent; while it may serve as Hulme’s inspiration, it does not dominate. Clearer is the fact that the four songs on Songs for Walter’s debut release are irresistibly tuneful gems that you’ll find yourself playing on repeat for days. All four tracks are short, not one eclipsing the three-minute mark, but their presence is felt long after the needle hits the record’s run-off grooves. “Meet Me at the Empire” is proof of the magic that can be made with only an acoustic guitar and a sweet melody. “Flowers on the Windowsill” is upbeat, Camera Obscura-esque twee pop. And “Tin Can” finds Hulme contemplating on chirpy ukulele, while a certain melancholy is reflected in his gentle singing.

Songs for Walter may have been released back in the Spring, but don’t wait on it any longer. Hopefully there will be bigger things awaiting Hulme in the near future. (bleedinggold.com/songs-for-walter)