Beans on Toast releases his second isolation recording and it's available now
Isolated from those we love and yearning to be with friends again, Human Contact is a tender new song released by James McAllister, aka Beans on Toast that will strike a chord with millions in lockdown right now. A protest singer, a punk, a poet, a drunk, a romantic but above all else an optimist. These are protest songs peppered with optimism. Known as a hard working, and prolific tourer and festival performer having played every Glastonbury since 2007. Check out his awesome 2019 album “The Inevitable Train Wreck” which is a belter from start to finish.
In this strange new world where we’re all trying to find new ways to reach-out without touching, make contact, but only at a safe distance; Human Contact eloquently captures the daily dilemmas we face as we pull-together to beat the coronavirus.
Featuring just Beans and an acoustic guitar, the songwriter opens-up a universal conversation with his frank and endearing social commentary. From missing those tactile trademarks like hugs and high-fives that we once exchanged so freely, to dreaming of the massive get-togethers to be had when the world begins to turn again; Human Contact is a touching epiphany from the times we live in.
Human Contact was written, recorded and released from quarantine and is available via his website and to stream on all major services. Following last month’s equally topical: Strange Days, the new song is his second original recording to emerge since lockdown began. Warm and relatable, timely and true, Beans’ latest material finds him reaching-out in the way he’s always known best.
Beans on Toast won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re a fan of artists like Frank Turner, Will Varley, Sean McGowan I think you’ll enjoy this. At his best, Beans is a passionate protest song singer, who has a real skill in expressing worries, fears and social & ecological issues in a way that anyone can relate to, but at the same time injecting a sense of humour.
Human Contact comes hot of the heals of his April release Strange Days, his first isolation release which tackles the everyday changes and issues we all now face, from empty cupboards, to going to the supermarket and social distancing. Wonderfully accessible and relatable it put it well with the lyrics “the only thing we know for sure is everything has changed”.
Human Contact follows on brilliantly, to tackle the specific impact of isolation, social distancing and lockdown on someone, like Beans, who is quite simply a people person….. It tells of the impact the lockdown is having on a hugger, a kisser, a handshaker, someone who needs human contact….
But what’s great about Beans on Toast is the optimism, the humour that runs through his work. Far from being down or depressing it highlights the opportunities as it says that “The future ain’t nothing but a question mark and there’s time to find out who you really are”.
And Beans looks forward to when this is all over and how brilliant it will be “We’re going to have a giant get together, hanging from the rafters… won’t be taking anything for granted, I know it might not happen any time soon, but I need to believe that normality will return”
This is a wonderfully upbeat track and brilliantly performed. The track is simple; just vocals and acoustic guitar, but is a delight from start to finish. A song to sing along to with feeling. If the aim is to make you smile and look forward to when we can all hug again, job done… I was beaming and full of optimism.
8.5 from LiveWire Music
