It’s amazing how many young artists start their journey wanting to be football players.

Andrew Cushin could be described as one of these, as a goalkeeper for Newcastle Benfield’s Youth Team, it was discussions with his then coach about music that started a change in tact for Andrew that is leading him very quickly down the road of stardom within the music industry. With influences like Paul Wellar, Richard Ashcroft and The Beatles, it’s already clear that the right basic ingredients are going to be in place when it comes to songwriting. 

When a song starts with an acoustic guitar being played with a rhythm that will stick in your head, I always know from the off I’m going to like it. 'It’s Gonna Get Better' features nice chords changes and the gradual introduction of piano, then percussion, followed by an echo drenched clean electric guitar the creation and the development of the music is clever, yet simple and allows you to hear the vocals. As a side, the main guitar that was used was leant to him by Sean Genocky, the producer on the tracks. It’s a Gibson J-45, previously owned by Keith Richards! 

Andrew Cushin has a clear, pop/folk voice that delivers a beautiful melody that never misses the point of the song. I’m reminded of Will Young in sound a little, and that’s a good thing. Will Young had a voice that could appeal to older and young audiences and I think Andrew Cushin’s will do the same. However, the influences that are all over the music range from classic 60s ballads, but with the lyrical rhythms of some of the more recent acoustic indie artists, Damien Rice possibly or even some unplugged Oasis. The story of the song uses the idea of regret, which a lot of songs do, but throughout this, you hear the theme of optimism, the idea that ‘It’s going to get better’, which for a 20 year old writer is a wise choice. The structure of the song and the build up go along way to supporting this maturity and understanding of lyric and production combinations. 

It’s fair to say that Andrew Cushin is the whole package. He writes beautiful songs, is an accomplished musician and can supply a lead vocal as good as any of his contemporaries at the moment. 'It’s Gonna Get Better’, whilst the name of the song, may also be a nice reference to his career, as I can only see it going from strength to strength.

 Singer-songwriter 

Author: Phil Arnold

Phil Arnold is a musician, producer and music reviewer from Devon, in the South West of England. Whilst not writing music reviews, Phil also writes and records under the name of Ugbrooke.