This Is Now is the second studio album by British indie rock band The Echo. It was released independently on April 30th, 2021. Supported by two singles, “Ready For You” and “All I Want”, the album was recorded between 2018 and 2021 and serves as a compilation of the bands single releases during that time.
The album was written alongside numerous lineup changes within the band, with production handled by several different producers. This Is Now received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike, who described the album as impressive but at times in-cohesive and disjointed.
Background
The Echo was formed in January 2018 by William Flahive and Arya Wood. They would recruit Lucas France, Ryan Smith and Sam Harrison to join the band as its first incarnation, releasing “Ready For You”, “I Am Free” “Boom (Remix)” and “Wild Fire” as singles during this time. Production was primarily handled by Ben Turner, who worked at their school as a music teacher, before leaving his job at the end of that academic year. Giles Stelfox replaced him, and would go on to produce half of the album.
The lineup expanded to include Joe Lohrenz, Adam Nicolas, Azfar Baksh and Cleo Pinto, and the band would record a live version of “Take My Soul” before Lohrenz, Nicolas, Baksh and France left the group. Smith would follow in early 2019 shortly before the release of “Retribution”. Harrison would stay to record a cover of Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day” before also leaving. Pinto, Flahive and Wood recorded “All I Want” at the end of 2019 and “The Echo” in early 2020. Wood would also leave in early 2021.
The album was leaked online shortly before the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, but would be removed before a re-release with bonus song “Outlaws”, recorded during the Only Way Is Forward studio sessions.
Composition
This Is Now incorporates a variety of genres, including pop rock, singer songwriter and electronic music. “Ready For You” was the third song Flahive had ever written, and the first for The Echo. He would go on to produce the two electronic songs on the album, borrowing the sound of his side project The Evolution Solution. Pinto would begin contributing to songwriting with “Retribution”, after which time the band’s music became noticeably rockier.
Release
All the songs on This Is Now, with the exception of “Outlaws”, were released as singles between 2018 and 2020, before being taken down in early 2021 for a re-release. “All I Want” was released as the official lead single on April 2nd, 2021, followed by “Ready For You” on April 16th. This Is Now was released on April 30th with ten songs. There was not a physical release, but CDs were burned by Flahive, though they were never distributed.
The Echo would play several small shows in support of the record; the most notable donated all ticket sales to charity, and the band played “Ready For You”, “Retribution” and “Take My Soul”.
Critical Reception
Fan response to This Is Now was positive, though some considered the release to be a compilation of previously released singles. “All I Want”, “Ready For You” and “Take My Soul” received particular praise from critics, who noted the mature songwriting and pleasing arrangements, though were less satisfied by the lengthy instrumentals.
Tracklisting
1. All I Want
2. Bad Day (Daniel Powter cover)
3. Retribution
4. Boom (Remix)
5. Ready For You
6. I Am Free
7. The Echo
8. Outlaws
9. Wild Fire
10. Take My Soul (Live)
Personnel
William Flahive- vocals (7), lyrics (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10), guitar (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10), drums (1, 7), keys (7), bass (1, 8), production (4, 9)
Cleo Pinto- vocals (1, 2, 3, 8), lyrics (1, 3, 8)
Sam Harrison- vocals (2, 5, 6, 10), drums (2), bass (2)
Lucas France- bass (5, 6)
Ryan Smith- drums (3, 5, 6, 10)
Adam Nicolas- bass (10)
Ben Turner- production (4, 5, 6)
Giles Stelfox- production (1, 2, 3, 7, 10)