Forgiefan by Nicholas Chim

On the surface, Nicholas Chim’s sophomore album has a lively, almost cheerful vibe that indie-folk songwriters seem to actively avoid. Playful country licks and upbeat percussion mark a clear departure from the heavy-handed guitar of his debut solo effort, released shortly after the breakup of local rockers Vertical Rush. If you need proof of the mellowness and confidence gained in the two years since – during which he’s kept busy hosting The Pigeonhole’s open-mic nights – the title is an Old English verb meaning ‘to forgive’, a striking difference from his debut I Have Damned Every Moment Over.

Close inspection betrays predictable genre tropes: love, loss, and often both in the same line, though the varied arrangements and versatile band more than make up for it. ‘In Loving Memory’ eerily channels Damien Rice in a ballad about a jealous lover facing an insurmountable rival, while ‘As Long As You Come First’ nails country rock down to the chicken pickin’ and a bluesy solo.

Perhaps the highlight of the album is Chim’s development as a composer and musician, revealing doomed English folkie Nick Drake as a key influence. In an age where uke-toting hipsters are mindlessly strumming away on YouTube, his dedication to the craft solidifies his place among the vanguard of today’s Singaporean singersongwriters.