As the frontman for Canada’s Tokyo Police Club (QRO spotlight on), Dave Monks already had an outlet for his songs, most recently with last year’s Forcefield (QRO review). However, he’s collected some pieces he wrote after the Forcefield sessions into All Signs Point To Yes, an enjoyable EP from an enjoyable artist.
Being that it’s a solo EP, but from the main songwriter in the band, Signs does sound a little like ‘acoustic TPC’. But Monks is sweet and charming throughout, starting with “Vegas” and the lower-key single “Gasoline”. The stripped down nature of the release does allow Monks’ lyrics to stand out more, particularly on the final two tracks, “Heartbeat Blues” and “Summer Dream”, whether resigned like the former or sunny like the latter.
All Signs Point To Yes is definitely in the same vein as Monks’ prior work, but lets his songwriting come to the fore.