The Pink in the Grey finds singer-songwriter Kevin Wong covering new ground for himself. Marrying the cool crispness of Wong’s vocals with the soaring sounds of the artist’s melodies, the album meditates on the often wonderful yet ridiculous motivations behind love, sex, and friendship. Written and produced by Wong, this sophomore effort turns the key on Wong’s varied capacity as a songwriter, creating a story through contrasting pieces with interludes thrown in for good measure. In ‘Legion of the Broken’, ‘Out of Reach’ and ‘Woe’, we find lighthearted piano-driven songs that address the highs and lows that only a broken heart can induce. ‘Falling Balloons’ is a melancholic ballad which reaches impressive heights in its pairing of deep pop beats with the telling of a doomed love affair. The album also features some quirky upbeat selections with ‘Denial’ and ‘Colours’, showing off a sense of humour that is only matched by the refreshing sincerity found in softer personal pieces like ‘Who We Are’, ‘Queen of Games’ and, lastly, ‘Shine’, a final song which ends the album with an undeniable message of hope.
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