Casey Maunder – Until Your Heart Stops Beating
Artist: Casey Maunder
Album: Until Your Heart Stops Beating
Release Date: 19.8.22
Label: SWND Records
Distribution: PYST
- Set Yourself on fire
- Rolling at The Rathouse
- Thinking about the moon
- I won’t go
- Click me, Swipe me, Follow me, Like me
- If the world was torn in two
- Candle in a jar
- Sunflower seeds in your pocket
- Slam dunk superstar]
- City Rain
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this album and both musically and lyrically I feel it is a reflection not only of my eclectic influences but also my views on the world around me.” – Casey Maunder
After reading the above quote from Casey Maunder about the ‘Until Your Heart Stops Beating’ album, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat.
I have seen Casey perform live and was very impressed with his onstage presence and the quality of his music. After hearing several of these songs performed acoustically, I was looking forward to hearing the full, in-your-face versions
The album begins with the thunderous riff of ‘Set Yourself on Fire’. A rocking number that is full of energy and power. This is soon followed by the urgent entrance of ‘Rolling at The Rathouse’ a track that had plenty of airplay on Planet Rock Radio amongst others. I love how Casey’s powerful vocals drive this number along. ‘Rolling at The Rathouse’ has a killer chorus that will stay with you forever. It’s a very autobiographical song about hopes and dreams.
‘Thinking About the Moon’ starts off quite differently, almost Beatlesque, but it soon develops into a wonderful power ballad with clever lyrics and soaring vocals. Highlight, for me here is the change of tempo at the 2:20 mark, which totally lifts the song to a new level, simply brilliant. ‘I Won’t Go’ is another track that reveals how good Casey is at writing a radio friendly song. Acoustically driven, ‘I Won’t Go’ would fit well on any mainstream radio station.
Talking about radio friendly, ‘Click Me, Swipe Me, Follow Me, Like Me’ epitomises the more commercial aspect of Casey’s writing. The catchy chorus and modern-day theme of how we live in a society where heads are stuck in phones etc and how the ‘image’ is of paramount importance. How the need to be ‘perfect’ and accepted can rule people’s lives. The track tick all the boxes, it even has a clap-along section in the middle. This track would be ideal in a Rom-Com or Chick-Flick.
‘If the World Was Torn in Two’ reminds me a bit of The Clash’s ‘London Calling’. It’s quite a statement against racists, religious boundaries and how the media creates the hatred certain people have for anything or anyone that dares to be different. Even though it is an up-tempo, happy feeling song, the message is clear and powerful.
‘Candle in a Jar’ is a breathtakingly, awesome number. I love James Weaver’s production work here. The track has power, depth, energy and a wall of sound that is so magnificent. ‘Candle in the Jar’ is my favourite track on this excellent album.
Ballad time next in the form of ‘Sunflower Seeds in Your Pocket’. Casey’s storytelling on top form here in this ‘lighters in the air’ number that will certainly become a firm favourite with many.
Back to the heavier side of Casey Maunder next with the fast paced ‘Slam Dunk Superstar’. Nearly 4 minutes of rock to get your teeth into. Excellently performed and easily devoured.
The album closes with the amazing Power Ballad that is ‘City Rain’. The track will bring you to tears, it may even make you angry, it will hit close to the bone with some. The message Casey delivers here is that if you don’t make the effort to change, then nothing will ever change. It has to be you to take that first step.
‘Until Your Heart Stops Beating’ is up there with the best albums of 2022. It contains 10 songs that, in their own right, could be successful singles, no filler at all. The quality of the writing is awesome and the performance astounding. Each track has a hook in it which makes them a joy to listen to. It is the kind of album that you will have on repeat.
Pete Devine
Casey Maunder links:
Band/Artist location – Swansea Wales UK
Facebook – You Tube – Soundcloud – Twitter – Instagram –
Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer – LinkTree –
Check our page for Casey Maunder
SWND Records links:
Label location – Swansea UK
Website – Facebook – Bandcamp – Merch – Twitter – Instagram –