Bibby – Caress You (2026)
On one hand, a recording artist and singer-songwriter; on the other, a qualified sound healing practitioner and guitar tutor – Paul Hughes is a man who embraces music as part of life in all its triumphs and tragedies. This is my introduction to Hughes and his solo project, Bibby, but he has been turning heads for over a decade. His music has featured in films, such as Bill Taylor’s horror film Kingdom, his melodies have received airtime on international radio stations, and his songs are critically acclaimed by notable global publications, all while building a loyal fanbase. So, we might be late to the party, but better late than never. Join us as we delve into his most recent single, ‘Caress You’.
Entirely self-recorded, penned and produced by Hughes, ‘Caress You’ finds the line between vintage folk and indie-rock, then blurs it. Soft, smooth and gentle, the track is a concoction of acoustic guitar, percussion, and fluttering keyboards. A mellifluous sweep of music that simultaneously lulls you into a sense of comfort and brims with intimate vulnerability. It’s easy and languid, but within the simplicity lies relatable intricacy, allowing a deeper connection between audience and musician.
Hughes describes the song as one ”…for the soft hearts, makers of memories and dreams, yet longing for those times again”, and this perfectly aligns with the melody. As I mentioned, easy, comfortable and languid, but the nostalgic whispers are happy, sad, and somewhere in between. Yearning and desire, while still holding solace, sincerity and tenderness.
For me, ‘Caress You’ is the song that, well, can caress you with its music and win you with its earnest lyricism. Overall, I find this the perfect tune as our first step along the Bibby journey, and I’m eager to work through his back catalogue while waiting for more.
In addition to the single, Bibby released an official lyrics video for ‘Caress You’. You can view the video below and/or on his YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about Bibby on his Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp and YouTube.
Listen to more folk music on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist:
