ALL MUSIC MAGAZINE UK – ALBUM REVIEW – EVERYBODY SAYS HI – “EVERYBODY SAYS HI “

 

 

WORDS HARRY K

 

 

Everyone Says Hi – Everyone Says Hi

Out January 31, 2025

On  Chrysalis Records

PRE-ORDER HERE

 

 

Everyone Says Hi is the debut album from the supergroup of the same name, fronted by ex-Kaiser Chiefs‘ drummer and prolific songwriter Nick Hodgson. Having spent years behind the scenes writing chart-topping hits for artists such as Dua Lipa, George Ezra, Duran Duran, and You Me At Six, Hodgson steps into the spotlight as a frontman, guitarist, and lead singer. Alongside him is a handpicked ensemble of highly experienced musicians, creating a blend of indie pop, rock, and electronic textures. With ten meticulously crafted tracks, Everyone Says Hi showcases Hodgson’s knack for pop hooks 

Nick Hodgson’s songwriting pedigree is already well-known, but in Everyone Says Hi, he brings together an impressive cast of musicians to back his vision:

Pete Denton (bass, The Kooks

Glenn Moule (drums, The Howling Bells)

Ben Gordon (keyboardist, The Dead 60s

Tom Dawson (guitar) 

The chemistry between these musicians elevates the album, ensuring that it doesn’t merely rest on Hodgson’s songwriting abilities but feels like a full-band effort.

Everyone Says Hi navigates through a broad spectrum of genres, fusing indie rock, dream pop, synth-pop, and electronic elements to create a diverse sonic palette. Hodgson, as both producer and songwriter, manages to balance the album’s catchy, radio-friendly hooks with deeper, more sophisticated arrangements. The production, handled at London’s Snap Studios and Hodgson’s home studio, is both polished and immersive, with a crispness that allows each instrument to shine.

Tracks like “Somebody Somewhere” and “Only One” show Hodgson’s ability to write infectious, indie tunes, while “Lucky Stars” adds a country-tinged flair, blending jangly guitars with slide guitar and string arrangements. The song’s warm melodies and lyrics that touch on fate, love, and chance.

 

 

The single “On The Same Side” offers a more introspective, synth-driven side of the band. Dreamy and reflective, it echoes the influence of bands like Cigarettes After Sex and R.E.M., combining shimmering guitars with brooding atmospherics. Hodgson’s voice, while not as gritty as some rock frontmen, carries a smooth, melodic tone that works well with the album’s lighter, more ethereal moments.

Throughout Everyone Says Hi, there’s a distinct feeling of nostalgia.  The songs feel like love letters to different phases of Hodgson’s life and musical career, looking back while still driving forward. The album’s polished indie pop sound has traces of the upbeat energy Hodgson brought to Kaiser Chiefs, but with a more reflective, mature approach.

STANDOUT TRACKS

“Somebody Somewhere” – A opener with a driving beat and infectious chorus. Lush harmonies, upbeat sound belies the reflective nature of the lyrics, touching on human connection in a disconnected world.

“Lucky Stars” – With its country-tinged sound, this track stands out for its warm, jangly acoustic guitars and lush strings. Its lyrics are charming, offering a thoughtful take on fate and the unpredictable nature of love.

“On The Same Side” – Dreamy and piano-driven, this song captures the band’s ability to slow things down and focus on atmosphere. The shimmering guitar and melancholic lyrics evoke comparisons to dream-pop bands like The War on Drugs and Cigarettes After Sex.

“Only One” – A very cool indie track wit its own groove, a little reminiscent of Hodgson’s work with the Kaiser Chiefs, but with a more mature lyrical edge. It’s a catchy, radio-friendly number that retains the introspective depth found throughout the album.

Everyone Says Hi is a a very cool album, there is a Beatle esq ness to the record which i really love, but great song writing, clever lyrics, catchy choruses and lush harmonies will do that for you, 

 

 

Fans of Hodgson’s previous work with the Kaiser Chiefs will find plenty to love here, but there’s also enough musical diversity and maturity to appeal to a wider audience. Whether it’s the warm, nostalgic glow of “Lucky Stars” or the indie punch of “Only One,” Everyone Says Hi shows a band that’s as comfortable delivering radio-ready pop hits as it is diving into more experimental, atmospheric territory.

With Everyone Says Hi, Nick Hodgson proves that his songwriting prowess extends beyond the confines of the hits he’s written for others. This is a confident, well-rounded debut that sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in his career.

9/10

 

 

Track Listing

1/ Somebody Somewhere

2/ Lucky Stars

3/ Only One

4/ Brain Freeze

5/ I Wish I Was In New York City

6/ On The Same Side

7/ I Wasn’t Dreaming

8/ Holding On To Let Go

9/ Tried And Failed

10/ Did I Just Fall In Love

TOUR 2025

27/01/2025 MON United Kingdom Lancaster Kanteena (IVW)

28/01/2025 TUE United Kingdom Hull The Adelphi Club (IVW)

31/01/2025 FRI United Kingdom London Rough Trade Denmark Street (In-store)

01/02/2025 SAT United Kingdom Southsea Pie & Vinyl (In-store)

02/02/2025 SUN United Kingdom Marlborough Sound Knowledge (In-store)

03/02/2025 MON United Kingdom Bristol Rough Trade Bristol (In-store)

04/02/2025 TUE United Kingdom Kingston Banquet Records (In-store)

05/02/2025 WED United Kingdom Nottingham Rough Trade Nottingham (In-store)

06/02/2025 THU United Kingdom Leeds Crash Records (In-store)

07/02/2025 FRI United Kingdom Liverpool Jacaranda Records (In-store) FULL BAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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