Boo Sutcliffe: “You’re The Same As Me” (2022) CD Review

Last year singer and songwriter Boo Sutcliffe released his debut album, Blink, which featured Claire Helm on backing vocals on a couple of tracks. Now he has followed that with an EP titled You’re The Same As Me, with Claire Helm joining him again on vocals. Andy Wright, who did the string arrangement on his debut’s opening track, joins him on violin on one track on this release. Other than that, this is a solo effort by Boo Sutcliffe, who wrote the songs, performed them and produced them.

The EP opens with its title track, a cool song with an interesting combination of sounds and elements, including electronica, pop and even folk. Claire Helm joins him on lead vocals, as well as backing vocals. “You had your chance there on the mezzanine/Anything more obvious would have been obscene/Found your courage in a glass/Just as the moment passed.” There is something subtly catchy about this track, and by the time you are halfway through it, you realize you’re just completely into it. Part of it is the song’s cheerful vibe. “We’re just floating on the breeze/Can you see us falling free?/Can you see us fluttering?” Then “The Last Train” begins beautifully with guitar, violin and some vocal work by Claire Helm. It is a captivating opening. Then Boo Sutcliffe’s vocal performance is intimate and true, completely engaging. “Your honesty was your first mistake/You don’t know about me/I’m not sure about you.” This is a wonderful song, featuring some gorgeous work by Andy Wright on violin at key moments. I also really like that guitar work. This is my personal favorite track on this release, and I highly recommend checking it out.

“The Time, The Time” also has some folk and country elements mixed with pop. “I could have been someone who gave a damn,” Boo Sutcliffe sings here. This track features some excellent backing vocal work from Claire Helm. Like the EP’s first track, this one grows on you, so that nearly halfway through you’re kind of in love with it. Part of it is the way their voices blend, and part of it is the hook of the title line. I also like the work on keys. The EP concludes with “A Thousand Things,” which has a darker, more haunting vibe, seeming to move toward a progressive rock realm at moments. Claire Helm takes lead vocal duties on this one. “And all I see/Is a hole in the place where you used to be/And all for me/I'm scared of the open door right in front of me.”

CD Track List

1. You’re The Same As Me
2. The Last Train
3. The Time, The Time
4. A Thousand Things

You’re The Same As Me was released on June 3, 2022.