Released: May 20
Hanson do things their own way on their latest studio project ‘Red Green Blue’.
Clocking in at 15 tracks, the album comprises three EPs, each of which has been created by Taylor, Isaac and Zac, respectively, under one of three colourful monikers harkening back to their family childhood.
It’s a unique concept for a group but, three decades into their journey as a band, Hanson are secure enough in their status to branch out and explore new territory without the fear of breaking up the unit.
Opening with Taylor’s Child at Heart, the ‘Red’ section of the LP cuts to the heart of the family man – who is dad to seven kids with wife Natalie – with a largely stripped-back, acoustic sound that always seems to lead back to his home unit.
Tagged onto the end of the song is a snippet from the singer-songwriter’s original writing session, featuring one of his kids in the background, while second cut Rambling Heart juxtaposes his love of being home with his life on the road.
Considering the separate nature of the album, the sense of unity on We Belong Together is somewhat ironic, but the final track on ‘Red’ – Semi-Hollow – flourishes into a full band moment, as Taylor pledges his loyalty to the group.
The fuller sound remains through the rest of the project, as Isaac’s ‘Green’ opens with Greener Pastures, a rootsy track about looking for the good in every experience and striving for the best outcome in all circumstances.
It’s an organic direction that runs through the five cuts, including pre-release track Write You a Song, which stands out as the strongest number on the record and seems destined to become one of the group’s signature numbers.
No Matter The Reason and The Gift of Tears strip things back and showcase Isaac’s slick vocals and poignant lyrics, before the groove kicks in on Cold as Ice, closing the project’s second chapter with style.
Where Taylor and Isaac went back to basics on ‘Red’ and ‘Green’, Zac’s ‘Blue’ segment opens with the synth-led Bad, paving the way for a more pop-oriented selection sure to appease longtime fans of the group while bringing their sound bang up to date.
World Goes Around is an uplifting, reflective look at the state of the world, offering the promise of a new day and celebrating the best things in life, while Wake Up slows things down for the album’s big romantic number.
It comes to a head on Where I Belong; a forward-facing track that takes inspiration from the classic Somewhere Over The Rainbow and sees Zac striving for a better future – not only for himself, but the world as a whole.
On paper, a group album consisting of three solo projects shouldn’t work, but the beauty of ‘Red Green Blue’ stems back to its title; a reference to the additive colour model, which sees primary colours of light added together to produce a broad spectrum.
In the instance of Hanson, each member shines his light in different ways, showcasing their personal inclinations, but it’s only when they come together that the group’s sound is truly complete.
‘Red Green Blue’ is available now.
