It’s been a long time coming. After releasing 2 previous DIY demos over the last 6 years, DOCTOR CROW has finally dropped a 9 track, studio quality album titled “Severance”.
Opening track “Meds” may sound familiar amongst his fan base. Whilst the catchy guitar line of the 2021 version of the song has been lost in translation make no mistake this remake is a step up with vocal verses now added to that infamous chorus and the addition of melodic keys gives this remake so much more depth.
Second track “Cut off the Cancer” kind of carries on the piano outro of the previous song and provides a hard hitting chorus. Next up is the album title track “Severance” a piano ballad that the DOCTOR himself has on many occasion expressed his desire to write and it doesn’t disappoint. Other honorable mentions go out to “Mislead Me” and “Bleeding Black Heart”.
DOCTOR CROW
This album is exactly what we expect from the DOCTOR simple riffs, catchy choruses! One slight criticism is the same piano loop does feature in 3 songs which is a little overkill but on the other hand it becomes familiar, almost a “DOCTOR CROW” trademark.
The album definitely follows an almost narrative theme like previous EPs. First we had “Meat Disco” back in 2019 which was very much the DOCTOR’s guilt of returning to a meat diet after being a vegetarian. Second EP “Meds” (followed in 2021) clearly followed that narrative too with an addition of difficulties in taking or finding the right medication.
“Severance” however seems to have moved away from the whole carnivorous regret and moved more towards almost a break up album as the title would suggest. “Cut off the Cancer” is clearly a metaphor for getting rid of a toxic partner or friend. Then there is “Home Alone” a 50 second or so, punky outburst about choosing a life of solitude alluded to with lyrics such as “I don’t want to socialise, Me on my own, There can be no compromise”,
Overall “Severance” is a real step forward for the DOCTOR. Is it the album of 2025? No! Clearly DOCTOR CROW has never taken himself too seriously, this is a man (or woman) that originally put on a leather mask and screamed “MEAT” in to a microphone. That being said…the production on this album compared to previous work is night and day. DOCTOR CROW has recruited a percussionist (BoP) which is noticeable. DOCTOR CROW has made significant upgrades to his vocal recording equipment and all this lends to a decently mastered piece of work.
“Severance” on Spotify now: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4brcEjiUpc5BPELy0EnPcF