Harry Cleverdon is a farm-grown, soft-spoken singer-songwriter whose music captures the essence ofcountry storytelling with grit & grace. With an authentic sound built on passion, not gimmicks, Harry’seasy-listening melodies are as simple, strong, and soulful as the stories they tell.

Raised in the heart of the country, his songs are honest and real, blending timeless acousticinstrumentation with natural-born storytelling. Each track feels like a breath of fresh air, effortlesslymelodic and harmonically rich, with simple but addictive melodies that linger long after the last note.

Humble but unforgettable, Harry is putting in the work – carving out a space in the music world throughdedication and genuine talent. His music isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about truth, feeling, andconnection. Laid-back but driven, he lets the songs speak for themselves – no flash, no frills, just pure,authentic music that stands the test of time.

Socials: @harrycleverdon

Website: harrycleverdon.com/about

Official Album Review | ‘Survival | Harry Cleverdon | 2025

Author: Zac Downey | LambingFlatRecords——————————–

‘Solid Ground, Skyward Bound: Harry Cleverdon’sSurvival Shines with Promise’

Rating: 7/10

Harry Cleverdon’s debut album Survival is a breath of fresh air in a music landscape often clutteredwith flash and frills. A country born and raised singer-songwriter, Cleverdon delivers a collection oftracks that feel farm-grown and honest, rooted in timeless acoustic instrumentation and natural-bornstorytelling—all written, recorded, and produced by Harry himself! (extra points there!)

With grit and grace, he’s making waves quietly, crafting an authentic sound built on passion ratherthan gimmicks, elevated further by the beautiful mix and shine from Rick O’Neil of TurtleRockMastering. The album’s key standouts, “Survival” and “Superman (Late Night Trance),” show offCleverdon’s strong songwriting and vocal skills. They’re the highlights that prove he’s got seriouspotential. This is no-trends-chasing pop-country hybrid – Survival is pure, soulful music that standsfirm in its simplicity and strength, showcasing a humble but unforgettable talent who’s clearly puttingin the work.

From the opening strums of “House of Cards” to the tender closer “Know I Am Too,” Cleverdonproves himself a soft-spoken yet compelling voice in the modern country scene. The album’s tentracks weave a tapestry of love, heartbreak, self-doubt, and resilience, all wrapped in easy-listeningmelodies that are as addictive as they are unpretentious. While ‘Survival’ earns a solid 7/10 for itsgreat songwriting and refreshing production, what shines brightest is Cleverdon’s potential forgreatness—a promise that this is just the beginning for an artist carving out his own space withgenuine talent.

Key Standouts: Track 4 ‘Survival’ and Track 8 ‘Superman (Late Night Trance)

Track by Track below*

Track-by-Track Breakdown

1. “House of Cards”

Kicking off the album with an upbeat wall of sound, “House of Cards” is a melodic and harmonicexploration of a fragile relationship. The faster-paced verses build into big, sing-along choruses thathit like a gust of wind through an open field. Cleverdon’s lyrics—“We’re a house of cards / Cause wefall apart / When things get hard”—are simple, strong, and soulful, capturing the push-pull of lovewith raw honesty. It’s a perfect introduction to his laid-back but driven style.

2. “Empty Bottles”

With a catchy electric guitar riff reminiscent of Uncle Kracker’s carefree vibe, “Empty Bottles” is atoe-tapping country-pop gem. The track’s high-spirited energy belies its bittersweet core—a tale ofreckless fun and addictive patterns in a toxic romance. “Empty bottles on the kitchen floor / And Imight join ’em there if I drink any more” is delivered with a playful wink, making it an instantearworm that lingers long after the last note.

3. “Burning Bridges”

Slowing things down, “Burning Bridges” leans into country blues with rich, warm instrumentationand a standout guitar solo. Cleverdon’s introspection shines here as he laments pushing people away:“I hate that I do it, I feel so damn stupid / But I’m burning bridges again.” It’s a haunting, honestreflection that showcases his ability to blend timeless sound with modern struggles.

4. “Survival” – Highlight 1

The album’s title track and potential hit single, “Survival” starts with sparse acoustic chords andCleverdon’s vulnerable vocals before building into a mid-paced, anthemic chorus. “I’m a survivor / Arace car driver / I don’t go down without a fight” is a rallying cry for resilience, wrapped in reallygood songwriting that balances self-doubt with hope. It’s a standout moment that proves his knack forcrafting songs that resonate deeply.

5. “Wake Up At Home”

Upbeat and happier, “Wake Up At Home” is a love letter to simpler times. With its driving rhythmand easy-listening charm, Cleverdon pines for the countryside over city lights: “I just wanna drive /Back to the countryside / I just wanna wake up at home.” It’s a feel-good track that channels hisfarm-grown roots with infectious sincerity.

6. “Nothing For Myself”

This folk-country gem pulses with a four-on-the-floor beat and rhythmic guitars, offering a beautifulmeditation on ambition and stagnation. “All I want is to be up there on the shelf / Cause I don’t wannadie and have done nothing for myself” is delivered with quiet urgency, making it a soul-stirringhighlight that lingers in its simplicity.

7. “Drunken Messiah”

Channeling a bit of Bob Dylan with harmonica flourishes and slower-paced singer-songwriter vibes,”Drunken Messiah” is a poetic escape. Cleverdon paints a scene of late-night wisdom found in abarroom corner: “I’m overcome with this desire / To talk with the Drunken Messiah.” The storytellinghere is natural-born and evocative, proving his humble but unforgettable presence.

8. “Superman (Late Night Trance)” – Highlight 2

One of the album’s best offerings, “Superman” is a masterpiece of great songwriting and beautifulinstrumentation. Cleverdon’s voice soars over fantastic layered acoustics as he wrestles withself-doubt: “I wanna be Superman / But I don’t really think I can.” It’s a late-night confessional that’sboth melancholic and mesmerizing, cementing his status as a melodic storyteller. Fantastic!

9. “The Best That I Can”

A touch cheesy but undeniably charming, “The Best That I Can” is a sweet love song buoyed bynice guitar work. “I could be buying you flowers / I could be holding your hand” evolves into apromise kept, offering a hopeful arc that rounds out the album’s emotional journey. It’s a decent trackthat gets away with its earnestness thanks to Cleverdon’s authenticity.

10. “Know I Am Too”

The perfect closer, “Know I Am Too” is a gentle, John Mayer-esque ballad with a killer guitar solo.It’s not a radio single, but its easy-listening warmth—“Look up at the moon and / Know I amtoo”—wraps the album in a tender embrace. It’s a quiet reflection on distance and connection, leavinglisteners with a sense of calm and longing.

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Final Thoughts

‘Survival’ is a testament to Harry Cleverdon’s ability to craft simple but addictive melodies that feellike they’ve always existed. The album’s real instrumentation – no synthesized shortcuts here -grounds it in a refreshing, timeless sound that’s as sturdy as an old barn. From the barroom vibes of”Empty Bottles” to the introspective beauty of “Superman,” every song tells a story with grit andgrace, showcasing a natural-born storyteller at work.

At 7/10, ‘Survival’ is really good – great production, solid songwriting, and a cohesive vibe that’slaid-back but driven. Yet, it’s Cleverdon’s potential that truly excites. This debut feels like a steppingstone to something even greater, a promise of an artist who’s just beginning to tap into his full power.

For fans of country, folk, and honest music, ‘Survival’ is a strong, soulful listen that connects on ahuman level – no flash, no frills, just the real deal. Harry Cleverdon is putting in the work, and if thisis where he starts, the future looks bright indeed.

Find him at:

Streaming: Harry Cleverdon

Socials: @harrycleverdon

Website: harrycleverdon.com