Our fascination with conscious artist Andy Smythe grows with every listen. We have previously featured a slew of his releases, so when we heard that the star was back with Love Ain’t Free, our curiosity was peaked, and we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Drawing us in with cymbal textures, expanding with a luscious strings arrangement, Andy Smythe opens Love Ain’t Free with a folk adjacency, and the instrumental mastery that we have come to expect from the talented creator.
The opus evolves with thought-provoking prose as Andy shares an important message with regards to a zeitgeist subject matter. Speaking on the specifics of the song, Andy confesses, “Love Ain’t Free is about young people from the UK having the right to fall in love and with marry EU citizens without undue financial prejudice.” With reference to his wider artistry, Andy tells us, “I write songs that matter about trying to make the world a better place.”
Love Ain’t Free dives deep into the post-Brexit struggles that British people face, especially when it comes to love and immigration. This protest anthem highlights the financial hurdles—like needing £30,000 in savings or a high-paying job—that Brits must overcome to marry and bring their EU spouses to the UK. The song resonates with the frustration of young people priced out of the housing market and, now, love itself. It’s a powerful call for free speech and democracy, echoing themes from Andy’s earlier works like Dear Landlord, Prodigal Son, and Raggle Taggle England.
Following the success of his critically acclaimed album Poetry in Exile, which was released in March and praised for its visionary portrayal of a post-COVID world, Andy brings a fresh yet familiar sound with Love Ain’t Free. The album, hailed across the music press, received widespread airplay on UK folk and indie radio shows, cementing Andy’s reputation for eclectic songwriting.
Love Ain’t Free blends folk roots with an up-tempo rock vibe, complete with a dynamic saxophone riff. Beatrice Limonti’s mesmerizing fiddle performance stands out, evoking the spirit of renowned folk/rock fiddlers like Scarlett Rivera and Steve Wickham. Producer Dave Palmer, who also worked on Poetry in Exile, perfectly complements Andy’s creative vision with rich, imaginative soundscapes.
Andy’s multi-instrumental talent shines through as he handles guitars, bass, and saxophone, while also delivering all his own harmonies with a remarkable 4-octave voice. His band, now a formidable five-piece with bass, fiddle, mandolin, and drums, continues to gain momentum, selling out venues in South London and making waves at folk/rock festivals across England.
Love Ain’t Free is a testament to Andy’s songwriting prowess and vocal power, making it a must-listen. We have added the song to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Andy Smythe‘s exquisite wider discography, and anticipate future releases from the talented creator.