Review: Perth Lewis - Distance Between (NuNorthern Soul)

Perth Lewis has perfectly measured the 'Distance Between' these new nine tracks on his album coming out on the NuNorthern Soul label.

 

NuNorthern Soul's boss, Phat Phil Cooper, loves to start the new year down under and has found the 'Distance Between' with Perth Lewis (aka Luke Fugar), he of 'Moments In Time' that came out last year, (see review HERE).

Like his last album, these new nine tracks have already found fans with varied taste makers such as Richard Dorfmeister (he of  Kruder & Dorfmeister), Nick Warren and Chris Coco.

We're told, "Written and recorded with the same DIY heart, the album leans into longer forms, deeper textures, and a stronger sense of melodic drift" and that's without doubt this albums' strength: perversely being mellow, reflective (like sun on the sea: check 'Float Away') and contemplative.

The Perth Lewis guitar style has been stretched into gentle breezes and jangley electric piano gives the downtempo jazzy moods without being jazz.  I feel Pat Methany's spirit is in here somewhere along with hip-hop roots that have been jetisoned into the midsts of time to be replaced with found sounds of the sea harbours and birdsong (see 'Broken Headlight' and 'Across The Broadwater').

The title track perfectly encapsulate the album as 'Distance Between' is almost like a stripped 'Albatross' (as in Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac) at the pace of a circuling albatross with more grace.  Perhaps catching a 'Slipstream' and ending, with the track, 'A Strange Feeling' which gives you the strange feeling that you need to listen to the whole album again - did I miss something?  Did I need this insight into his emotions?  After the last track, 'Rest Assured', is it that we've just esperienced the equivalent of a beach yoga session?  I think it is.

If you don't live near the sea or harbour, I believe Perth is based in Sydney, this album will give you a virtual boost of sea air and if you do live by the coast, it'll do exactly the same.  .

BUY LINK / PRE- ORDER:  https://perthlewis.bandcamp.com/album/distance-between

 

 

Artist: Perth Lewis

Title: Distance Between

Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp