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Sweet Songs & Bitter Truth is the latest offering from Nick Cody & The Heartache, from Leeds, UK, released May 8th on all platforms
https://kycker.ffm.to/sweetsongsandbittertruth
VINYL HERE
Sweet and Bitter songs
The album consists of two contrasting groups of tracks: “sweet songs” and “bitter truth” protest songs. These include the first two singles, “The world’s richest man” and “We are the many”, both of which are observations about the current state of the world.
In stark contrast, there are two cover songs: the classic Townes Van Zandt “Pancho & Lefty” and James Blake’s “Say what you will.” Nick Cody adds his own unique twist to these covers, and Liz Hank’s cello helps create a very different sonic palette. Other tracks include “Another thin white duke” dedicated to David Bowie Jnr, a dearly departed friend who was both a brilliant musician and an all-around mischievous character.
The ensemble for this recording is Nick Cody on vocals, Harry Orme on guitar, Agi on vocals and Liz Hanks on cello. Liz Hanks is an extraordinary artist who has played with many major artists, including Liam Gallagher, Richard Hawley, The Pet Shop Boys, James and Martin Simpson.
The current live ensemble includes Claire Helm on vocals and Andy Wright on violin. This quartet will play “The Old Woollen” on May 17th, supporting Martin Simpson, a titan in the folk world, celebrating five decades in the music world. Tickets are available here for a great evening of music – https://www.seetickets.com/event/martin-simpson-with-liz-hanks-louis-campbell/the-old-woollen/3492404
Here’s the track listing
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We are the many
The World’s richest man
That Leonard Cohen Vibe
Another thin white duke
Pancho and Lefty (Townes Van Zant)
Say what you will (James Blake)
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Produced by Carl Rosamond
Artwork by Sarah Patrick
Distributed by Green Eyed Records
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PRE SAVE LINK HERE
What people are saying about “Sweet Songs & Bitter Truth”
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‘ It’s great to hear more of Nick’s music. Wonderful songs with some classy collaborations. Keep up the good work brother ‘.
Jim Glennie (founder member of James)
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“Congratulations, what an amazing track, the writing, arranging, performance, production, wonderful. A superb and moving tribute”
(On Another Thin White Duke dedicated to Dave Bowie Jnr RIP Sept 2025)
Snake Davis (international rock, soul, and jazz sax player)
Songs Sweet & Bitter Truths emerges as a powerful, crystallized mirror to the broken world around us and reflects the tense beat of the present with uncanny clarity. Instead of just singing about the world as it is, Cody examines it by providing the sweet balance of our common humanity and the “bitter” truths that govern the way we live our lives now. Each song is a remarkable lesson in storytelling that acts as a conduit between intense personal introspection and the collective weariness that we are all struggling through right now. Listening to this album becomes an odyssey of the heart that I feel fortunate to have embarked upon. It is a rare thing to be made to feel like you’ve been seen and heard in today’s music, and if this album is anything to go by, I can’t wait for his next installment to see where he takes us from here.
Biography web blog June 2026
“Sweet Songs & Bitter Truth” is a collection of outstanding songs you should not miss if you’re a true folk, blues, and Americana fan. Nick Cody And The Heartache is a master in writing, composing, and delivering memorable, meaningful, powerful tunes where each lyric explores what makes us human, but also reminds us to revolt during the most troubling times. His musicianship is more than hearable through every chord progression, harmony, melody, theme, and any other articulation, perfectly emphasizing the meaning of his songs. If you’re looking for a collection of emotionally and sonically resonant folk songs where you’ll find some of the most beautiful lyrics and orchestrations, then you should put “Sweet Songs & Bitter Truth” on your music radar immediately.
Thoughts, words music blog June 2026
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New Single “We are the Many” out now
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