In The Press…
Vents Magazine: Simon Val shares his debut album with the world – ‘Young Love’
What Music Critics Are Saying…
“Just fifteen years old and already more poetically reflective than most, Simon Val leads with a folk to pop-rock presence for his album Young Love, and fearlessly explores the highs and lows of precisely what the title implies.
Beginning with its title-track, Young Love introduces an organic songwriter and performer – cleanly-mixed acoustic guitar and vocals, with a simple rise and fall of short lines for that familiar folk-pop vibe.
The lyrics feel deeply genuine, as if authentically capturing a moment in time. The delivery is also naturally in tune with this passionate and pure approach, and the switch to the full-band brightness for the hook is not only unexpected but again brilliantly relevant in terms of the varying emotions involved in Young Love.
These qualities stand tall throughout the project, and always the Simon Val voice, in both tone and handling of topic, remains unmistakable.
Forever Mine follows on beautifully, heartfelt and grateful in its detailing of adoration and connection to a significant other. Then there’s the sudden electro-pop rhythm and vibe of I Lose All Words, almost dance-ready in production but ultimately still recognisable for that Simon Val vocal identity and openly loving overtone.
Arrangement matters, and even at just seven tracks, Young Love has clearly taken this into consideration. The melancholy and ache of Miss You So Bad hits with notable impact after the preceding track, this now piano-led display of longing and pain reaching out for its sudden opposition to the brightness and excitement of elsewhere; not least of all the later outright positivity of Just Smile.
The devoted and familiar sound of My Heart Texts You emerges at the penultimate moment, before the warmth and rightfully comforting Home brings things to an uplifting, inspiring finish.
Young Love is a finely-crafted collection of modern folk-pop songs, often with a twist of bigger-band identity. It shines light on a multitude of feelings, both welcomed and difficult, relating to those early years and first loves. At the same time, it presents an artist with a clearly professional and purposeful way with making music.”
— StereoStickman.com
“Simon’s last song titled ”Young Love” made us obsess a little bit about him, and now he is back with ”Forever Mine”, a song that has increased our affection for his sound to a whole new level!”
— Chromatic Music Cloud
“The up and down tempos which Simon is able to navigate while maintaining his control over key changes and inflections of rhythm, make “Young Love” a worthy addition to any film or television soundtrack. As a young performer, his grasp of carrying overtones is remarkable, the vocals are pure and full of actual emotion. It is a great follow-up single to add to his already growing catalog of remarkable performances.”
— Evolution Music Press
“Every indication points to him going the distance with his entertainment career, and winning over all the hearts & minds listening to his music in the process. “Young Love” will have you cheering for Simon’s success as an artist in the future to follow, and move you with a catchy combination of sincere hooks & substance in his songwriting & performance that proves he’s on the path he’s meant to be on, 100%.”
— SleepingBagStudios.com
“My Heart Texts You is an excellent example of what Simon can accomplish by spreading himself broadly across a wide range of musical styles. From the depth of pop to the upfront flow of electronic elements in his music, the possibilities are endless. My Heart Text You offers an immersive introduction and the music immediately finds its own groove, as the production falls into place so seamlessly from the moment you hit the play button.”
— TheBandCampDiaries.com
“My Heart Texts You opens on a nice acoustic guitar and violin intro. In the verse the song takes on an Americana vibe as an ensemble of electric guitar, piano, violin and bass accompany Simon as he sings of the communication hurdles inherent to young love. The song is a heartfelt Indie-Pop torch song with a bit of theater and just a hint of Texas.”
— TheStaticDive.com
“My Heart Texts You sounds like it is derived straight from a musical, though its pop sensibilities give it a more marketable overall sound. An undeniably authentic song, Simon’s approach really tugs at the heart strings, both in terms of vocal technique and lyrical choice; I found the lyrics to be quite relatable and Simon’s delivery was stirring. You can really get a strong sense for Simon Val’s enormous talent through My Heart Texts You and I feel as though this song is a splendid showcase of his skills.”