Beans on Toast - The Unforeseeable Future (2020)

2020 is a defining moment for Beans On Toast. Not only does Beans hit the milestone of 40, but he also establishes his place as a modern-day folk pioneer in the truest sense, with not one, but two contrasting albums marking the special occasion. A tale of before and after, past vs. present, escapism vs. a gritty reality check. The first offering, Knee Deep in Nostalgia, is a reminiscence of past experiences and memories, whereas The Unforeseeable Future is an honest and resonating social commentary charting the course of the pandemic.

The Unforeseeable Future is the soundtrack to the pandemic; witty, honest and relatable, from the opening of Strange Days to the upbeat and hopeful final track, Patience. Stripped-back and raw, Beans captures the intricacies of one-way queues, hand sanitiser, panic buying and the mixed messages from the establishment. It is relatable on so many levels. Glastonbury Weekend looks at some of the ways that we have tried to make up for lost experiences and togetherness, swapping a weekend in a field for Zoom quizzes, FaceTime and Billy Bragg live on his settee. Yes, there are more important things, but humans are social creatures. The last year has highlighted both the good and bad of humanity, showing how people can pull together even in bad times. Just have a little hope and patience and remember “What really makes the world go round is generosity”.