West Clare songsmith and European troubadour, David Hope is back with a new collection of heartfelt, raw, gritty songs. Hope is set to release his eagerly anticipated third studio album entitled ‘Tough Love’ on March 10th, 2017 on Swiss label, TOURBOmusic.
Produced by Christian Best at Monique studios, Cork / Ireland, ‘Tough Love’ is the follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘Scarecrow’, which was released in 2013 and enjoyed extensive radio play and successive tours both in Europe and Hope’s native Ireland.
‘Tough Love’ features a collection of ten new songs which showcase Hope’s finely wrought lyrics and impressive vocals. Hope’s language invites listeners to venture into his world of beauty, humour, darkness and disdain. Producer Christian Best features on percussion which has lifted Hope’s songs to a new level in terms of sound and focus, while internationally acclaimed composer, pianist and vocalist Michael Gallen has added rich texture and tone giving Hope’s music a broader presence and stride.
The ten-track album is a mix of full-band tracks which have the instantly recognizable and often jaunty feel of his earlier works, as well as a fresh vitality. It is, however, in the stripped-back, exposed solo recordings where the song-writing maturity Hope has found over the last few years really shows, cutting to the bone of a song and unearthing a poignant intimacy. Hard working and weather beaten by constant touring, this third studio album is a coming of age for the man from County Clare.
