Written by Zack Glassell
Radiosoul by Alfie Templeman was released three months ago on June 7th, 2024. You’re probably wondering “Why did you wait ‘til now to review it?” Procrastination can suck, for sure. However, listening to the album for the past three months has allowed me to grasp its true magic and appreciate it to the fullest. Spoiler alert: I adore the album.
It is easily Templeman’s finest, most focused work to date. He has done a tremendous job of enrichening his record with so much soul, while perfectly capturing that catchy radio spirit. It hooks me in with every listen. If the album was a food, it would be the best chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever eaten.
Let me break it down song by song:
“Radiosoul” (song)
It starts with some electronic, groovy beats. He sings in a sexy, high pitch. The song introduces the groove and feel of the record. I admittedly wasn’t the biggest fan of it initially, but it’s only grown on me. It’s one of the more relaxed points in the album. A fitting intro! The instruments at the end come together to give the track a groovy closing.
“Eyes Wide Shut”
He keeps the singing going! All right, Alfonso, I see you. Keep it up, you better not stop that immaculate singing of yours. The track has also grown on me quite a lot. It ups the energy. I dance to the song when I hear it. It has some sick guitar playing in it. I love the chorus, especially when he is singing. Have I already mentioned that his singing is zesty as heck?
Photo from Alfie Templeman’s Instagram: @alfietempleman
The previous two tracks do an excellent job of getting me into the feel of the overall record. They are the bottom bun of the chicken salad sandwich. Now, onto the meat. Oh boy, this is where it gets fire.
“This Is Just The Beginning”
The beats and sound are so incredibly catchy, especially when paired with Alfie’s singing. The chorus is quite the hook. I LOVE THE CHORUS. The electronic groove playing parallel to his singing is WOW. I love the song so unbelievably much. And apparently, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. So much dopamine is flowing through me right now just listening to it. Ladies and gentlemen, he has struck gold.
Photo taken by Joseph Carter, @joeseth.carter on Instagram
“Vultures”
ONE OF THE BEST INTROS TO A SONG, PERIOD. When I played the song on my radio show, (Slice of Indie Paradise, every Thursday at 8 PM ;)), I had to do an instant replay of the intro because HOT DIGGITY DOG, it’s so breathtaking. I don’t even know how to describe it. It has that 70s/80s electronic feel to it, and it sounds so good. The instruments seemingly float in like they are the instruments of Heaven. Alfie is still keeping his majestic singing going. The song just sounds so cool! It has some funk to it. The guitar and drums and every beat and every instrument are just wow. Three-quarters of the way through the song, the instruments have a moment of ear candy where they are kinda just playing around. I love it. The electronic beats are moving around. The song is alive. It has a soul!
“Drag”
This one is just crazy. It reminds me of something Daft Punk or Modjo would make in their heyday. The groove is bouncing everywhere. His singing is at its most alluring. It’s so playful and fun, but at the same time, SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. It’s the side of mac and cheese I get with the chicken salad sandwich. It’s the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had. The closing of the song is haunting and beautiful.
“Hello Lonely”
I feel like a dancing queen. The singing is so catchy. I feel like I’m at a casino, having the time of my life, eating the best chicken salad sandwich, and winning at everything. If I hear this song, I don’t care what I’m doing, I’m dancing. Call me a fool, but the album has taken over my body, and I let it. The groove is so infectious. Holy macaroni.
Photo taken by Joseph Carter, @joeseth.carter on Instagram
“Just A Dance”
Here we are, the first song of the record I remember getting hooked on. Rightfully so, because it is an earworm, ear candy, ear dopamine, whatever you wanna call it, to the max. Nile Rodgers (known for Chic, as well as working with artists like Diana Ross and Daft Punk) helped him with this one, and I can tell. There’s something about the playful singing, mixed with the simple yet very effective chorus. It really is just a dance. The instruments are walking around, acting like they are Mr. and Mrs. Cool. They deserve it. Alfie is cool for making this. Nile is cool for helping him. “Our love is just a dance.” ‘Nuff said. It is peak radio.
“Submarine”
This is a weird one. It’s kinda imaginative. The lyrics steal the show for this one. We all dream of going on our own personal submarine adventure. His singing and lyricism are imaginative and wishful. It’s not quite as dancy as the other songs, but the instrumentation and energy are still there, keeping up the pace of the album.
“Beckham”
Beckham is Mr. Cool, for suresies. The instruments and singing are laid back, but they still manage to sound wild in a harmonic and cool way. It’s bouncy, yet chill and reserved. The chorus is him naming off places in his home country of England (Wikipedia), and then name-dropping the titular soccer player. It works, which is so funny to me. It sounds like a joke, naming his song after a soccer player, but I’m as dead serious as the song is about bringing us its groove.
We have now reached the top bun of the chicken salad sandwich. These next two bring me down from the high given to me by the meat of the album. Back to reality, they say. Same for Alfie, it seems.
Photo taken by Jessie Morgan, @jssiemorgan on Instagram https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/review-bedfords-alfie-templeman-joins-nile-rodgers-to-cl ose-towns-summer-sessions-in-style/
“Switch”
Sounds very Lofi at first, but then it switches to him making what sounds like a confession. Everything, and I mean everything in the song, starts floating. It’s almost like the instruments and beats are getting abducted by an alien spacecraft. It’s wild and serious, and I like it.
“Run To Tomorrow”
He’s saying goodbye in this final track. It sounds like he doesn’t want the dance to end. But all good things must come to an end. It is somber, but the instruments are still there for him, playing his song while he makes his exit from the record. The album was a high he must get away from. He must run to tomorrow.
The record is unlike anything I’ve heard. It genuinely blows me away every time I listen to it. Great work, Alfie! It’s the best album I’ve listened to from this year, 2024, so far. Seriously, if the album wasn’t this good, I wouldn’t be talking about it three months later, let alone writing this review. It’s one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to, so I’m giving it a
Ten out of Ten.
Now please go check it out! You’ll thank me later.
Photo from Alfie Templeman’s Instagram: @alfietempleman
Outside info from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_Templeman