REVIEW: Book of Churches - Book of Churches
- David Waites
- 45 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Book of Churches, the debut solo album by FELIX MACKENZIE-BARROWS, is a minimalist and beautiful collection of songs that gently grip the heart and soul, leaving a lingering sense of peace and tranquillity. It’s an intimate journey through vast emotions - from love to grief, from dread to anger. Coming off the back of a very successful year with his band DIVORCE, this solo project moves in a completely different direction from the band’s trajectory, yet it works remarkably well.
Even more astonishing is that the album was written and recorded in just two days. For a record of this quality to be produced in such a short time is mind-blowing. Using only two microphones, a guitar, and a phone full of notes written during some of the hardest moments of his life, MACKENZIE-BARROW created the ultimate DIY album in an untreated room - a raw and strikingly beautiful piece of production.
Song By A Stranger, the first track he wrote, poetically opens the album and acts as a blueprint for the rest of the record. It captures the aftermath of a relationship ending - the gaps that suddenly appear and the pain that slowly begins to shift as the world’s quiet beauty returns. All The Good Things lifts the tempo with simple guitar riffs and a subtle banjo in the background. Its lyrics unfold the familiar experience of memories resurfacing after a breakup, and the effect is deeply moving. There You Go I Love You nods to artists such as LEONARD COHEN, whose influence can be felt throughout the album. The composition, particularly on this track, encourages reflection on love once held, desired, or lost.
North Atlantic Ocean explores the disorienting feeling of being lost on life’s journey. Subtle triangle accents alongside the guitar create a drifting atmosphere, as though thoughts are slowly floating away. The track draws inspiration from the writings of BARRY LOPEZ, examining boundaries between time and dimension. Each song is crafted to evoke a distinct emotional response. The Quiet Was A Heron, channels anger - specifically at humanity’s treatment of the other species that share the Earth. It demonstrates how powerful lyrics alone can be, without the need for aggressive instrumentation.
I Lean introduces electric guitar for the first time on the album, documenting loss through memory. The song drifts toward a melodic, amplified conclusion that leaves a lingering sense of reflection. In sharp contrast, Big Love opens with a high-pitched guitar intro and fuses a variety of sounds. Produced by RICHIE KENNEDY, it features distorted voice recordings that dissolve into an a cappella chorus. The result is a joyous and layered track that stands among the album’s highlights. Hard Ride captures the early days of a relationship - the excitement, uncertainty, and underlying fear of what lies ahead. Recorded sounds, including an accordion mirroring the guitar notes, create a dreamlike shift that transports the listener somewhere distant and tranquil.
Catalpa In The Sky, initially inspired by a fear of flying, becomes a meditation on humanity’s instinct to look upward and wonder what lies beyond. The song itself feels dreamlike, with a slightly distorted piano that brings a sense of calm through headphones. The closing track, Stones In Your Bag, brings the album to a poignant conclusion. A harmonica weaves through dual vocals treated with a distorted, conversational effect, creating the feeling of both a farewell and a new beginning. As the song fades, there is a palpable sense of emotional release.
BOOK OF CHURCHES is not intended to be perfect; it is meant to be raw, unfiltered, and emotionally honest. It invites listeners to relate, empathise, and feel something genuine and it succeeds. The album reveals a deeply vulnerable side of MACKENZIE-BARROW, with gentle guitar work and soft tones blending seamlessly with heartfelt lyrics. It stands as a reflection on life and the world: flawed and difficult, yet capable of profound beauty when stripped back to its essence.
Score: 10/10
Book of Churches will be released on 6th March 2026 via Gravity / Capitol Records.
Words: David Waites
Photos: Book of Churches
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