It’s been seven years since the 2011 release of Aucklander Chris Hurn’s smart album debut ‘Too Busy Dreamin”. His 2018 sophomore release ‘If I Were You’ continues in the same charming and clever folk-pop style, but with a strong sense of the added class and craftsmanship that comes with maturing and developing as an artist.

Fully self-produced, this album was again written, recorded and performed entirely by Hurn – and released via Monkey Records. Each track is layered with multiple instruments, delivers catchy hooks and vocal harmonies, and generally beautifully showcases his chops as songwriter and composer.

It’s evident right away that Hurn has not been idle but rather has spent those years honing his craft. Indeed he has built up quite an impressive portfolio of compositions for various video games and films (including spots for major blockbuster films The Last Jedi, Avengers: Infinity War and Incredibles 2).

Opening title track If I Were You sets the mood perfectly for the rest of the release – it’s toe-tappingly, head-boppingly and smile-enducingly good. Each song features something else to love. Something New makes you want to dance like no one’s watching, Best Of Me will have you whistling and singing along instantly. Like You Do is a poignant love song that could serenade and thaw even the iciest of hearts, and Damages begins with the most spine-tingling Fleet Foxes’ styled vocal lines, leaving you covered in goosebumps.

Hurn has a sound that could be described as an amalgamation of The Kooks meets Of Monsters And Men, with a little Avalanche City mixed in for local flavour. The overall cheerful and uplifting nature of ‘If I Were You’ will warrant many repeat listens.