I had to double check myself before writing up a review for this song. The production is pristinely polished, the track sounds flawlessly clean and it gets B-List airplay on Radio 2 – does it really fit aside everything else we talk about on this site? But then, after a handful of listens, the answer was obvious.
Two veteran lights of modern alternative rock have joined together to upgrade the Verve singer’s original 2000 single, itself a glow up of The Four Tops Motown classic ‘Reach Out (I’ll Be There)’, both Ashcroft and Gallagher sounding energetic, at the top of their game and you know the frontmen-cum-solo singers are having ecstatic levels of fun. Side by side, it’s alarming how similar both voices are whilst remaining some of the most distinctive. The lyrics’ sentiments and the song’s delivery sound absolutely uplifting and life-affirming, right up to the rambunctious rolling end where the duo beckon the listener right into the heart of their melodic, bouncing, sweetly gratifying party of a tune with an inviting call of “If only you could be with us!”.
‘C’Mon People (We’re Making It Now)’ may not be either artist’s most pioneering effort but if their goal is to spread good cheer and put a smile on our apathetic chops then, my god, they’ve succeeded.
Richard Ashcroft’s ‘Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1’ has been out since last year, is available on all streaming sites and you can buy a snazzy yellow vinyl here. Watch the lyric video for the new single below: