Melbourne singer-songwriter Simon Phillips delivers a piece of serenity in his indie folk hit "Things Might Not Be Half As Bad As They Seem." It's a song that sounds like a warm breeze coming through an open window, lilting, honest, and deeply grounding. Recorded originally in 2014, it is an immaculate showcase for Phillips' talent in crafting musical spaces where you can just breathe.
Deep to the beaches, chill, with a slight touch of laid-back reggae and roots vibes, this track is as much about being a sun-kissed cruise along the Great Ocean Road. It's the song you've been waiting for, asking you to slow down, roll the window down, and remember that sometimes it really isn't all that bad. Simon Phillips has traveled the musical highway from the beaches of Western Australia to the music-filled streets of Melbourne, and everywhere in between. The experience and style of his journey are as fluid as the sea itself. Phillips, a master guitarist and seasoned performer, tells stories. This song is a tender, soulful story, packaged with steady acoustic strumming and a comforting voice that doesn't try too hard.
There's a reassuring pulse that runs through "Things Might Not Be Half As Bad As They Seem," one that reflects Phillips' well-earned time as part of musically inclined movements, much of which is spent turning into one-man rhythm machine. You can pick up ghostly traces of gospel, bluesy phrasing, and reggae grooves seeping through, always unobtrusively, always in service of the song's message. Whether you're watching waves lap at the coast or sipping coffee on a quiet morning, "Things Might Not Be Half As Bad As They Seem" by Simon Phillips is the hug you needed. It's a lovely reminder that all it takes is a little melody and a little hope, and those flutter from the top of the charts straight on down.
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