In this dreary windy weather the UK is experiencing we need something gentle to guide us back into the wonderment of summer, back into the thought of sunshine and running through fields of daisies with our loved ones as the memories of Christmas fade into the past. Hailing from Staffordshire and Long Island, (New York), Chris J Connolly has the perfect soundtrack to play through these changing seasons with an acoustic folk jazz-fusion album that can drift you into a daydream during the hardest darkest days of winter.

With gorgeous acoustic strumming fashioned with tones of Fleetwood Mac guitar strings polished off with beautifully delicate harmonies the album is filled with gems that will easily become your new ‘favourite’ on each listen. Not Alone is wonderfully simplistic, yet poignant with fragile undertones building into a powerful anthem whilst Million Colours is magical, a simply overwhelming song that will make you want to dance round the living room with your vacuum as if the sun were shining over your frozen skin.

Opening track Black Swan is up-tempo, with more percussion blended in for a toe-tapping introduction to the album that builds into a big country and jazz infused track all the while with Chris’ gorgeous vocals gently floating over the top. Can We Go Now is a take on a classic country song but slowed down so you can’t miss a word or a beat of what can easily become you and your lover’s new choice of shared song.

Suffice to say the album isn’t all daydreams as The Peddler holds more substance with bigger drums, more electric strings than acoustic and Wild Beast is a dangerous thrilling halfway point.

Fittingly the final song of the album, Colder is gentle, a lullaby set to drift you off into a world of dreams and meditation. A perfect ending to a brilliantly classic and sentimental album that can only bring you to a standstill to reminisce of those long summer days we cherish with both hands. In this ever scary and dangerous world it is just gorgeous to have an opportunity to reflect on our joys, our hopes and all what we are grateful for; and trust me, Flying Lessons is the perfect soundtrack.

Review by Kat Bagshawe

The album is available now from iTunes