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ALBANY – During the COVID-19 lockdown, many individuals decided to take advantage of the extra free time to indulge in their own creative endeavors. Alec Lewis is one of these talents. Pursuing work as a live and record sound engineer, as well as a social worker by day, the lockdown gave Lewis the time he needed to release his first solo project, The Honey Home Variety Show, Ep. 1 in January 2021. One year and nine months later, on October 12, Lewis released his EP How Are We Fine? The EP is a more deliberate attempt to establish Lewis’s style as a recording artist. With heavy elements of pop rock, Lewis began to find his voice in more funk and soul leanings. Lewis stated that he has been “heavily influenced over the last five years by the Nu-Funk and Neo Soul movements.” Let’s dive into the new record.

The record opens with the title track “How Are We Fine?” and within seconds, it immediately establishes Lewis’s poise as a producer. This short tune opens with soft piano playing and indistinct voices, almost acting as if the listener can hear what the artist is experiencing in his own head. The track then builds to layered vocal harmonies that ask “How are we fine? / How are we fine?” This song takes the listener by surprise, when around one minute in, it becomes an upbeat, funky pop song. Lewis’s style can be described as “pocket-pop,” which is a term he coined to describe the beats and changes in his music that imply the “pocket” of some funk rhythms. “How Are We Fine?” and the remainder of the record make “pocket-pop” a fitting term for Lewis’s music.

“The Edge of This” is a strong track, beginning with an acoustic guitar strumming and vocals that make the listener feel as though they are being encompassed in sound. The vocal production on this song feels as though Lewis himself is singing right next to you, not simply through headphones. At times, the drums in this song remind me of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name,” as the beat is steady and exciting. “The Edge of This” is the most lyrically-driven track on the album, with analogies to endings that are beautifully written.

“When I’m With You, Pt. 1 & 2” has a much different vibe than “How Are We Fine?”, while still fitting into the “pocket-pop” genre. Sporting a ¾ time signature with a chill, relaxed vibe and impeccably clean guitar work, “When I’m With You, Pt. 1 & 2” is reminiscent of John Mayer’s early works. The vocals in this song don’t make an appearance until about two minutes in, but the focus on instrumentation does not make the listener miss the vocals. The track is musically complex, with the outro featuring brass instruments and vocal layering reminiscent of The Beatles’ most famous tunes.

The penultimate track on the EP, “The Strider Strut” is in close competition with “When I’m With You, Pt. 1 & 2” for having the most jazz chops, as the instrumentalists on the record shine bright on both tracks. It is apparent that the song has funk sensibilities, with an outro that feels like classic jazz, featuring improv from the horn players and masterful drumming. The song leads to the final track, simply titled “Home.” The concept of this song is pure, depicting a relationship with a person that makes life better, even though life can be difficult at times. Repeating “You take me by the hand / And you show me the way home,” this tune is the perfect way to finish off the record.

How Are We Fine? by Alec Lewis is a record that showcases Lewis’s ability to not simply blend genres, but develop one all his own. Produced and recorded by Lewis at his home studio in Albany, a handful of drum tracks and other instrumentation were supplemented by guest musicians from across the Capital Region. The beauty of being a part of a local music scene is exactly this – bringing talented friends with a range of skills together to create a work of art. How Are We Fine? can be found anywhere you stream music. Be sure to check out Alec Lewis’s new record here.

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Album Review: Chris Pellnat’s “Go”

Album Review: “Emotion Plane” by Karl Bertrand

Album Review: Hold On Honeys, “Hold On Honeys Live at the…