Harry Cleverdon- Survival (Album Review)

“Harry Cleverdon’s “Survival” delivers raw emotion, soulful storytelling, and unfiltered vulnerability.

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TOP 5

5. The Best That I Can

This love song is syrupy-sweet.

“The Best That I Can” is a very cute, romantic track that you’ll find toward the end of the album. It’s about being the best partner you can be for your significant other. Harry sings about wanting to put in the effort to make the person he loves happy and how happy he is to do that. The song is delicate, sweet, and makes listeners feel good.

4. House of Cards

Harry gets real about relationship complications in “House of Cards.”

The first track of the album, “House of Cards,” is about a relationship that has its ups and downs. It seems ready to crumble and fall apart at any moment, but the singer isn’t ready to give up on his love yet. The couple builds together, breaks, and then rebuilds again, just like a house of cards. He is aware of the problems in the relationship, but he is committed and wants to keep trying to fix things.

3. Nothing for Myself

We all want a legacy to leave behind.

In “Nothing For Myself,” Harry reflects on his desire to be remembered for something after he’s gone. This track carries a bittersweet tone, touching on deep themes like legacy and how the world will remember him. Harry expresses his yearning to leave a meaningful impact and make something of himself. The song evokes a feeling of being lost in thought under a vast, blue sky.

2. Superman (Late Night Trance)

Have you ever wished you could be a superhuman?

That’s exactly what Superman (Late Night Trance) is about. Harry gets raw and vulnerable in this song, with his voice stripped back, gritty, and raspier than usual. The lyrics explore spiraling thoughts, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions—wanting to feel better but feeling like it’s impossible. It captures the longing to be a superhero, to feel less out of control and more capable of handling everything at once.

1. Survival

Let’s hear it for the title track, everyone.

“Survival” is a track that delves into internal struggles, a recurring theme throughout the album. It explores feelings of not being good enough, the desire to do more despite already being overwhelmed, and the challenge of finding balance amid stress and worry. Emotional and deeply relatable, the song serves as a reminder to live in the moment, persevere, and never give up without a fight.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

1. House of Cards (4/5)

2. Empty Bottles (3.5/5)

3. Burning Bridges (4/5)

4. Survival (4.5/5)

5. Wake Up At Home (3/5)

6. Nothing For Myself (4.5/5)

7. Drunken Messiah (3.5/5)

8. Superman (Late Night Trance) (4.5/5)

9. The Best That I Can (4/5)

10. Know I Am Too (3.5/5)

RGM RATING

(78%)

Harry Cleverdon’s debut album, Survival, is not the country album I expected—but it’s even better. Blending folk and country-pop influences, Cleverdon crafts a deeply personal record filled with life lessons and raw emotion. His gritty, soulful voice adds depth to every track, making the storytelling even more compelling. The fact that he wrote, recorded, and produced the entire album himself only enhances its authenticity.

The album’s tracklist explores love, complicated relationships, and heartbreak, but Survival is far more than just a romance album. Cleverdon also dives into internal battles like anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, as well as the importance of appreciating the present—whether through small-town nostalgia or nights out at the bar. With deeply relatable themes and heartfelt lyrics, this album makes listeners feel truly seen. Survival is an honest and vulnerable collection of songs that fearlessly confronts emotions many shy away from.