B-Side Guys

A decade in the making, Aaron Thomas’ “Human Patterns” is a testament to the Australian singer-songwriter’s wealth of life experiences and his unwavering dedication to his craft. Released on May 16, 2024, this 12-track, 49-minute album is a rich tapestry of indie melodies, old country tones, and deeply personal storytelling that invites listeners to join Thomas on a journey through the highs, lows, and in-betweens of his well-traveled life.

From the outset, it’s clear that “Human Patterns” is the work of an artist who has lived, loved, and learned. The album’s lush instrumentation – a masterful blend of strings, guitars, horns, piano, and banjo – serves as a fitting backdrop for Thomas’ introspective lyrics and soulful vocals. It’s a sound that is at once timeless and fresh, evoking the classic singer-songwriter tradition while infusing it with a distinctly contemporary edge.

The album’s opening track, “Walk on Water,” sets the tone with its jaunty, folk-infused sound and optimistic lyrics. It’s a love song that radiates warmth and positivity, a perfect introduction to the emotional and musical range that Thomas will explore throughout the record. From there, the album takes a sudden turn into darker, moodier territory with “Money,” a brass-led, chaotic track that grapples with themes of betrayal and disillusionment.

This pattern of light and shade, of hope and despair, is one that Thomas returns to throughout “Human Patterns.” On tracks like “Mouth of the City” and “Long Lost Friend,” he delves into the complexities of the human experience, exploring the ways in which we can lose ourselves and each other in the face of life’s challenges. But even in the album’s darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of light, a sense that redemption and connection are possible if we’re willing to keep searching for them.

Nowhere is this more evident than on tracks like “Like a Stone” and “Before I Met You,” both of which celebrate the transformative power of love and human connection. The former is a breathtaking, Spanish-inspired ballad that showcases Thomas’ gift for crafting emotionally resonant melodies, while the latter is a joyful, goofy ode to the giddy rush of new love. In both cases, Thomas’ lyrics and delivery are utterly sincere, a reminder that even in a world that often feels cynical and jaded, there is still room for unabashed expressions of the heart.

Of course, no journey through life’s ups and downs would be complete without a healthy dose of self-reflection and introspection. On tracks like “Bottle of Wine” and “To My Knees,” Thomas turns his gaze inward, grappling with his own shortcomings and uncertainties with a mix of humor, honesty, and grace. The former is a wry, self-deprecating love song that pokes fun at Thomas’ own flaws and foibles, while the latter is a haunting, almost Nilsson-esque meditation on the simple joys of living a good life.

As the album winds to a close, Thomas takes us on a final emotional roller coaster ride with tracks like “Spiritual Man,” “My Brother, My Hill,” and “Your Light.” The first is a slow, string-laden ballad that grapples with themes of faith and family, while the second is a heartfelt exploration of the distance that can grow between even the closest of kin. But it’s the final track, “We Both Know,” that truly brings the album’s emotional arc to a close. With its mysterious, guitar-driven sound and intimate vocals, it’s a fitting finale to an album that is all about the search for connection and understanding in a world that can often feel isolating and unknowable.

Ultimately, what makes “Human Patterns” such a triumph is the way it balances the personal and the universal, the specific and the archetypal. Thomas’ lyrics and melodies may be drawn from his own life experiences, but they speak to something much larger and more profound – the shared joys, sorrows, and mysteries of the human condition. It’s an album that invites us to see ourselves in its stories and characters, to find solace and inspiration in its messages of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of love.

In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, “Human Patterns” is a reminder of the things that bind us together as human beings. It’s a celebration of the moments, both big and small, that make life worth living – the laughter of good friends, the touch of a lover’s hand, the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. And it’s a testament to the enduring power of music to help us make sense of it all, to find beauty and meaning in even the most challenging of circumstances.

With “Human Patterns,” Aaron Thomas has crafted an album that is sure to stand the test of time. It’s a work of great emotional depth and musical sophistication, a journey through the human experience that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. And for those of us who have ever struggled to find our place in the world, who have ever felt lost or alone or uncertain of our path, it’s a reminder that we are not alone – that there is always hope, always the possibility of connection and redemption, if we’re willing to keep searching for it.