Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ramona” – Grace Cummings

Grace Cummings is an artist like no other. No one sounds like her, no one is making music like her; she’s simply in her own lane. Listening to her third album Ramona gives you a deep appreciation for that.

Grace’s voice is the first thing you notice. It’s richly textured, wise beyond her years, deep and full, passionate, uniquely beautiful. Her hushed tones remind me of Dusty Springfield, but then there’s the raw, earthy side that’s a little like Janis Joplin. Honestly, it’d be enough to keep me interested. But then there are the songs. Each one incredible, with a classic sound you can’t quite put your finger on. There are elements of soul, gospel, blues, but you can’t put them neatly into any box. They simmer with emotions that threaten to bubble over, casting a spell each and every time.

One of the things I love most about Ramona is its vintage sound. It’s pure, free from the interference of modern technology. I can imagine Grace and her bandmates playing these songs at producer Jonathan Wilson’s Topanga Canyon studio just as you hear them, in one take. The beautiful thing about music like this is that it’s likely to be just as good, if not better, when you witness it live. Thankfully for us, she’s got plenty of shows scheduled all around the world at beautiful intimate venues. Tickets are on sale now and aren’t likely to last long:

5 May 2024 – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro
7 May 2024 – DC9, Washington City
8 May 2024 – Arden Gild Hall, Wilmington
9 May 2024 – Public Records, Brooklyn
12 May 2024 – The Blue Basement, London
15 May 2024 – Forest National, Bruxelles (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
16 May 2024 – Stadthalle, Offenbach (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
18 May 2024 – Forum Karlin, Karlin (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
19 May 2024 – Arena Wien, Vienna (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
21 May 2024 – Kantine am Berghain, Berlin
23 May 2024 – AFAS Live, Amsterdam (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
24 May 2024 – The Lexington, London
25 May 2024 – Wide Awake Festival, London
26 May 2024 – Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
27 May 2024 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard – SOLD OUT)
29 May 2024 – Civic Halls, Wolverhampton (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
30 May 2024 – Bristol Beacon, Bristol (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
31 May-2 June 2024 – Maifeld Derby, Manheim
3 June 2024 – Import Export, Munich
4 June 2024 – Unaltro Festival @ Circolo Magnolia, Milan (with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard)
7 June 2024 – La Boule Noire, Paris
8 June 2024 – Best Kept Secret, Hilvarenbeek
12 June 2024 – Bergenfest, Bergen
12 July 2024 – The Espy, Euro Yuroke/St Kilda
13 July 2024 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Boonwurrung Country/Meeniyan
14 July 2024 – Brunswick Ballroom, Naarm/Melbourne
20 July 2024 – Altar, Nipaluna/Hobart
25 July 2024 – Crown and Anchor, Tarntanya/Adelaide
26 July 2024 – Mojos, Walyalup/Fremantle
27 July 2024 – Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth
2 August 2024 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
3 August 2024 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney

Images used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Caught in a Reverie” – The Dreggs

I’ve been championing The Dreggs since they released their debut EP, Seas Embrace, back in 2018. They’ve never put a foot wrong, but like a fine wine, they’ve gotten better over time. Now with the release of their long-awaited debut album Caught in a Reverie, I think this Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast duo is truly stepping into their powers.

The album opens with “Peeps With the Goods,” a recent single that wowed me so much that I wondered whether the band might have set the bar too high. It’s brilliant, but so is every song that follows it. Every single song. Paddy Mccrae and Zane Harris know how to craft a song. Their voices seem to complement one another effortlessly. They’ve got a strong instinct for indie folk. It runs through every track, through every note of the duo’s acoustic guitars. While this is clearly the place they feel most comfortable, the soulful notes of “Peeps With the Goods” and rock vibes of “She Picks Flowers” show they’ve got more to explore.

While I think The Dreggs have matured as a twosome, they haven’t ventured too far from what first captured my attention. When I wrote about Seas Embrace, I noted the way the music helped me through a loss, and how I was sure it would make others feel better. This album is a little darker, with songs exploring grief in a very real and unfiltered way, however ultimately the duo still arrives at a positive place. The Dreggs might be older, wiser, but they don’t sound jaded yet. Their music still feels hopeful, it still has the power to bring a smile to your face and nurse you through whatever you’re facing. It just has a little more substance behind it these days.

Caught in a Reverie is out now. The album launch parties are already sold out, but if you missed out, don’t worry. After playing shows in Europe, The Dreggs will do another lap of the country in June before heading to New Zealand. Just like those launch parties, tickets probably won’t last, so make sure you get them while you can.

26 April 2024 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (SOLD OUT)
27 April 2024 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast (SOLD OUT)
28 April 2024 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
1 May 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawarrung Country/Torquay (SOLD OUT)
2 May 2024 – Northcote SC, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
10 May 2024 – Oran Mor, Glasgow
11 May 2024 – Eiger Music Studios, Leeds (SOLD OUT)
12 May 2024 – Whelan’s, Dublin
15 May 2024 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (SOLD OUT)
16 May 2024 – Lafayette London, London (SOLD OUT)
17 May 2024 – Tunes in the Dunes 2024 @ Perranporth Beach, Perranporth
21 May 2024 – Kavka, Antwerp
22 May 2024 – Melkweg, Amsterdam
24 May 2024 – Artheater, Cologne
25 May 2024 – Bahnhof Pauli, Hamburg
27 May 2024 – Privatclub, Berlin
29 May 2024 – Café V lese, Praha
30 May 2024 – Fluc und Fluc Wanne, Vienna
1 June 2024 – Strom, Munich
2 June 2024 – Papiersaal, Zurich
3 June 2024 – Muhle Hunziken, Rubigen
14 June 2024 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Tarntanya/Adelaide
15 June 2024 – Metro City, Boorloo/Perth
21 June 2024 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 June 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
29 June 2024 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
26 July 2024 – The Church Pub, Christchurch
27 July 2024 – U Bar, Dunedin
28 July 2024 – Yonder, Queenstown
1 August 2024 – San Fran, Wellington
2 August 2024 – The Tuning Fork, Auckland

Main photo credit: Jordy Wydra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Say What You Mean” – Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits

Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits impressed me with their single “Paper Boats” last month, raising my expectations for their sophomore album sky-high. There are so many bands that drop incredible tracks, but their albums just don’t meet your expectations. With Say What You Mean, Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits prove they’re one of the most exciting bands around.

Say What You Mean is one of those albums that grabs you from the first note. The music feels classic, and those textured vocals with just a hint of yodel are so compelling. I can imagine listening to “Misery Queen” at a smoky bar somewhere, whiskey in hand. It’s so much fun, but there’s a darkly humourous underbelly that runs through so much of Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits’ music. Their tongue-in-cheek lyrics bring to life the flush of infatuation in “Arrowhead”, the agony of terrible dates in “The Tallest of Tales,” and the difficulty of dealing with problematic people in “Bullseye”. It’s left of centre, and one of the big reasons that the music Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits creates it’s so appealing. This twosome knows how to create those sassy singalong songs so well, but everyone now and then they switch gears. Quieter moments like “Insomniacrobat” and “Tether” show a fragility that’s so compelling. These women might be bad-arse, but they’re not afraid to lay their hearts bare.

Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits sit in a rare space on the Australian music landscape. There aren’t too many acts making this kind of music. There are even fewer female duos delivering it here in this country. It’s alt-country, with rock and roll swagger, a dash of honky-tonk, and the heart of the blues. It’s authentic, without pretension, as good country should be. It’s organic. You get the sense that you could see them live and their harmonies would be just as flawless, the musicians would be just as tight.

Say What You Mean is available now digitally, and there’s a vinyl and CD to come. Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits will give us a chance to see just how good they are live when they play shows across four states this May and June.

27 April 2024 – Castlemaine Pride Festival @ Mechanics Lane, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (FREE)
3 May 2024 – The Eastern, Ballaarat/Ballarat
4 May 2024 – Trashcult Records, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country/Bendigo
9 May 2024 – The Royal Oak Hotel, Kanamuluka/Launceston (FREE – duo show)
11 May 2024 – MONA, Nipaluna/Hobart (FREE – duo show)
17 May 2024 – The Grace Emily, Tarntanya/Adelaide
18 May 2024 – The Stone Pony, Wirruwarrungga/Willunga
24 May 2024 – Tanswells, Baarmutha/Beechworth (FREE)
25 May 2024 – The Old Bar, Naarm/Melbourne
30-31 May 2024 – Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival, Gweagal Country/Cronulla
1 June 2024 – The Golden Barley, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
2 June 2024 – The Junkyard, Wonnarua Country/Maitland (FREE)
15 June 2024 – Memo Music Hall, Euroe Yroke/St Kilda
22 June 2024 – Odessa Leavers Hotel, Dja Dja Warrung Country/Creswick (duo show)

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Everything is Bigger Than Me” – Pierce Brothers

The Pierce Brothers have been one of Australia’s finest indie-folk acts for more than a decade. With the release of their third album Everything is Bigger Than Me, brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce are showing they can do more than simply write and perform incredible songs. They’ve co-produced this album alongside longtime collaborator Phil Threlfall and recorded it at Jack’s home studio. The resulting collection of songs may just be their best yet.

Of course, this album was always going to be wonderful. I’d already been wowed by the singles “Studio”, “Bottle”, “Wilder”, and “In the Water.” But they’re far from the only exemplary tracks on this album. I have relished getting to fall in love with each and every song showcased here. They’re built on a solid foundation of beautiful lyrics, irresistible melodies, and sublime harmonies, just as the Pierce Brothers’ music always has been. But the lads have added new, exciting layers this time around. The arrangements are so lush and textured, and the lyrics seem more revealing. The emotion in the vocals of “Blood” is palpable. And you won’t hear a more heartfelt love song than “White Dress.” This music is so intimate, encouraging you to step inside the Pierce Brothers’ world and stay a while. These gentle moments provide a counterpoint to those raucous singalong songs like “Bottle” and “Everything is Bigger Than Me” that this twosome does so well.

Everything is Bigger Than Me is a special album from one of Australia’s best acts. It encourages repeat listens, and there’s no better time to start than now. The Pierce Brothers are currently making their way around the country. Make sure you see them anywhere you can.

20 April 2024 – Queensland Music Trails, Bidjara Country/Charleville
2 May 2024 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Eora/Sydney
3 May 2024 – King Street Warehouse, Mulubinba/Newcastle
9 May 2024 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
10 May 2024 – Pelly Bar, Boonwurrung Country/Frankston
11 May 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
23 May 2024 – Mojo’s Bar, Walyalup/Fremantle
24 May 2024 – Froth Craft Bunbrewery, Goomburrup/Bunbury
25 May 2024 – The River, Wooditup/Margaret River
6 June 2024 – Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
7 June 2024 – Magnums, Ngaro Country/Airlie Beach
8 June 2024 – Edge Hill Tavern, Gimuy/Cairns
22 June 2024 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
27 June 2024 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
28 June 2024 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast
29 June 2024 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
4 July 2024 – Big Red Bash, Munga-Thirri/Simpson
15 August 2024 – Mundi Mundi Bash, Wilyakali Country/Broken Hill
25 August 2024 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Amamoor Creek

Main photo credit: Dara Munnis

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Please Leave Quietly” – Leo

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Leo has impressed me with their debut EP Please Leave Quietly. The five-track EP delivers the perfect combination of infectious melodies and lyrics that speak from the heart.

“It is incredibly introspective and focuses on the feelings associated with loss, abandonment, and isolation” Leo explained. “The title was chosen to serve this introspective motion with the idea of ‘I know you’re going to leave and that’s okay – I would too. But when you do, the only thing I ask is that you do it quietly.’”

Leo is exactly the kind of songwriter that I love. Their lyrics are brutally honest. They’re unafraid to lay bare their own emotions and stories of pivotal moments with other people. These lyrics don’t shy away from the hard stuff, and Leo acknowledges that when you’re young and just trying to figure stuff out, so much of it is hard stuff. There’s pain and pathos in these lyrics, but the melancholy moments are typically balanced out with Leo’s wry sense of humour. A defense mechanism, maybe. But it gives these songs such a distinctly Australian flavour. They’re so relatable that they’re instantly endearing.

These songs are also total earworms. I’ve been lucky enough to listen for a few days, and I catch myself humming the tunes at random moments. They’re so catchy, in the best possible way. It feels unfair to single out these songs because they’re all incredibly strong, so I’m just going to let you listen and decide which one’s your favourite.

Please Leave Quietly is out now. Leo and their live band will launch the EP for hometown fans at The Old Bar on April 19.

Main photo credit: Claire Giuffre

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“SH!T YEAH” – Between You & Me

Between You & Me are ushering in a new chapter with the release of their first independent body of work, SH!T YEAH. Made of six absolute pop-punk bangers, this release shows these guys are more than capable of forging their own path in the music scene.

They make a strong statement opening with “Kill My Vibe”, a collaboration with their former touring partners Knuckle Puck. Between You & Me go toe to toe with the U.S. heavyweights, proving they’re just as big a force to be reckoned with. It’s such a fun, feel-good song which gets backed up with the single “In The Middle”. “Nevermind” celebrates the simple things in life. It’s an anti-rock star anthem if you will about being content with your material lot even as you strive for musical success. “Every Morning” (no, not the Sugar Ray song) sees Between You & Me at their sexiest. If the lyrics didn’t already get me excited enough, the electric guitar solo takes this track over the edge. “YEAH!” takes a little dig at Insta culture while reminding us what really matters. “Sad Songs” rounds out this EP which is the definition of all killer, no filler. With big chords and a singalong chorus, it leaves the listener on such a high.

With most tracks clocking in at around the three-minute mark or less, SH!T YEAH is short and oh so sweet. As if there was any doubt, it establishes this band as one of the best modern pop-punk outfits, not just in Australia but on the world stage. They’ve got the goods. Listen, enjoy it, and make sure you snag a ticket to one of their upcoming shows.

5 April 2024 – The Rebel Lounge, Phoenix
6 April 2024 – Chain Reaction, Anaheim
17 May 2024 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
18 May 2024 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
19 May 2024 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth
24 May 2024 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
25 May 2024 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Main photo credit: Max Pasalic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Makin’ Me Wild” – The Bad Dad Orchestra

I’m pretty late to The Bad Dad Orchestra party. They’ve been dropping EPs since 2016, but they’d slipped underneath my radar until late last year when they released the fabulous single “Birds of Prey.” “Makin’ Me Wild” came next, and my enthusiasm for the band was in full force. With expectations sky high, I pressed play on their long-awaited debut album, also called Makin’ Me Wild. So often when a band’s set the bar so high with stellar singles, an album falls a little short. Not here. It’s every bit as good as I hoped for.

I shouldn’t have worried though. These guys have been honing their craft for years. They know each other and what they can do together, and they do it so well. Every song sounds like a classic from the first listen. Soul oozes out of every note. Frontman Jimi Steele has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. Period. The horns section is so tight and punchy. They make me wonder why more bands don’t use one. Every member of the orchestra plays a vital part though. Together they are magic.

A lot of this EP is party music. I found myself grooving in my chair to new favourites like “Soul Survivor” and “Trauma”. Just see if you can resist clapping along to “Callin’ Me Now”. Bad Dad Orchestra excels at this kind of music, but they’re equally capable of slowing things down and delivering heartfelt ballads like the gospel-inspired “Rockin’ My Heart” and the moving closer “Sapphire Sky.” Honestly, it’s all so brilliant.

If there was any doubt, Makin’ Me Wild cements The Bad Dad Orchestra’s reputation as one of the best bands in Australia. This album is brilliant, but something tells me these guys take the energy up a notch when they’re in front of a crowd. Find out for yourself when Bad Dad Orchestra visits your hometown on their album launch tour.

22 March 2024 – Valentino Safe Co, Woiwurrung Country/Lilydale (SOLD OUT)
5 April 2024 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
6 April 2024 – Little Lucy’s, Koorakoorakup/Sunbury
19 April 2024 – Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle
20 April 2024 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
3 May 2024 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
4 May 2024 – Paragon Theatre, Timkarik/Queenstown
10 May 2024 – The Royal Oak Hotel, Kanamaluka Country/Launceston
16-19 May 2024 – Blues on Broadbeach, Yugambeh Country/Broadbeach (FREE)
17 May 2024 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Cheap Fakes)
1 June 2024 – The Pier/Island State Brewing, Mumirimina Country/Ulverstone
24 and 25 August 2024 – Gympie Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie

Images used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“from my bedroom floor” – Kate Gill

The very best music makes you feel something. As the artist shares their stories and bears their soul, it triggers your memories and brings your emotions to the surface. Mine are sitting raw now as I spend time with Kate Gill’s EP from my bedroom floor.

The five songs on this EP feel like diary pages sharing secrets with the listener. They’re confessional, vulnerable, powerful. The title track opens the EP, drawing us in with its simple melody and Kate’s incredible lyrics about figuring her life out as she transitions to adulthood. It’s bittersweet, beautiful, and so relatable. From this introspective number, Kate takes us on a journey through key relationships. They’re messy, as relationships can often be in our early years. “toothbrush” introduces us to the one she can’t get over, “september” tells us about the one marred by infidelity. “friends” reminds us that platonic relationships can be every bit as complicated. The final song, fittingly called “the end,” actually gives us hope of a new beginning. A relationship that might be good, if only Kate can get out of her own head and stop comparing herself to the new partner’s ex. Full of self-doubt and self-loathing, it draws this EP to a powerful close.

With her debut EP from my bedroom floor, Kate Gill shows she’s more than ready to make the leap from TikTok phenom to mainstream success. These songs are some of the best I’ve heard. They encourage you to sit on that bedroom floor with Kate, empathise with her stories, and recognise parts of yourself in them. It’s only March, but I expect this will be one of my favourite releases of the year.

Main photo credit: Gabi Rankine

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Nothing to Lose” – Hollow Coves

The mercury might be falling, but Hollow Coves are keeping the summer vibes flowing with their cool new album Nothing to Lose. Full of chilled out tunes that will have you thinking of the sun, surf, and sand, this album sounds good at any time of year.

The first thing that struck me about this album is how accessible it is. These acoustic-driven folk-pop songs feel familiar, a little nostalgic, from the very first listen. It’s a gift to create music that feels so comforting, while remaining fresh. Most of these songs aren’t singles, but they still manage to evoke memories and feelings of peace from the get-go.

The first couple of listens I just let myself get swept away by the sound. However, the more I listened (and trust me, I’ve listened a lot) the more I heard the wisdom of these songs. Tracks like “Nothing to Lose” and “Harder to Fake It” remind us of the importance of making the most of moments and living our most authentic self. The single “Photographs” celebrates physical photos and the simplicity of a time before mobile phones were so ubiquitous. “Let’s Go” and “Purple” are beautiful love songs, but they also emphasise the healing power of travel and escape from the daily grind. “On the Way” reminds us that we don’t need to have it all figured out, that we can continue to grow and find our feet as we journey forward. You can’t make an album like this as a band starting out. It takes some seasoning to gain such maturity in music and message.

Nothing to Lose sounds good from the first listen, but sit with it a while and I know you’ll discover its deeper beauty. Hollow Coves are celebrating its release with shows all over the country. Check them out anywhere you can.

26 March 2024 – Gloria-Theatre, Cologne
28 March 2024 – Muziekgieterij, Maastricht
29 March 2024 – TivoliVredenburg – Ronda, Utrecht (SOLD OUT)
30 March 2024 – Zeche Carl, Essen (SOLD OUT)
31 March 2024 – Uebel & Gefährlich, Hamburg
2 April 2024 – Columbia Theater, Berlin
3 April 2024 – MeatFactory, Prague
4 April 2024 – Simm City, Vienna
5 April 2024 – Technikum, Munich
7 April 2024 – Magazzini Generali, Milan
8 April 2024 – Komplex 457, Zurich
9 April 2024 – Les Docks, Lausanne
11 April 2024 – Halle02, Heidelberg
12 April 2024 – Opderschmelz, Dudelange
13 April 2024 – Le Trabendo, Paris (SOLD OUT)
14 April 2024 – AB Ballroom, Brussels
16 April 2024 – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
17 April 2024 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (SOLD OUT)
18 April 2024 – Academy 2, Manchester
5 June 2024 – Union Stage, Washington DC
6 June 2024 – The Foundry, Philadelphia
8 June 2024 – Warsaw, New York City
10 June 2024 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
11 June 2024 – MTELUS, Montreal
12 June 2024 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
14 June 2024 – Lincoln Hall, Chicago
15 June 2024 – Fine Line, Minneapolis
17 June 2024 – Gothic Theatre, Denver
19 June 2024 – The Grand at the Complex, Salt Lake City
22 June 2024 – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
23 June 2024 – Venture Music Hall, Ventura
24 June 2024 – Bimbo’s 365 Club, San Francisco
26 June 2024 – Aladdin Theater, Portland
27 June 2024 – The Crocodile, Seattle
29 June 2024 – Vogue Theatre, Vancouver
30 June 2024 – Capital Ballroom, Victoria
24 October 2024 – The Church, Christchurch
25 October 2024 – Tuning Fork, Auckland San Fran, Wellington
26 October 2024 – San Fran, Wellington
2 November 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
8 November 2024 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
9 November 2024 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
15 November 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
16 November 2024 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
22 November 2024 – Freo.Social, Boorloo/Perth
23 November 2024 – The River, Wooditup/Margaret River

Main photo credit: Catherine Bernier

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Folk Singer” – Kerryn Fields

Kiwi-born, Naarm/Melbourne based singer-songwriter Kerryn Fields has thoroughly captivated me with her new live EP The Folk Singer. This collection of songs is a powerful reminder of the value of simplicity.

In a world where music is often over-produced and over-manufactured, this EP really stands out. Kerryn presents these songs as purely as possible, typically just with her voice and an acoustic guitar. We hear a little harmonica now and again, but that’s it. No backing vocals, no ensemble of musicians, and definitely no studio wizardry. It’s so interesting that this approach is radical today, but I was so struck by the sound of the stillness in these recordings. When you strip away everything but what’s important, those crucial elements are left to shine. And shine they do. These songs are some of the most well-crafted I’ve heard in some time.

As the EP’s title suggests, this collection of songs focuses on the artist. I felt like I really got to know Kerryn through these songs. The EP starts with the title track, which establishes not just the EP’s genre but who Kerryn is as a performer. The tracks to come peel back the layers. The current single “Fork in the Road” is a heartbreaking response to a stranger questioning why she doesn’t have children. “Human Touch,” which explores the longing for human connection, also hits hard. After such deep material, Kerryn brings us back up with a more playful ditty, “I Know Nothing.” “Canadian Folk Song” has a similar upbeat feel, but its lyrics which capture a relationship lost resonate deeply. “Trains & Whistles” provides another perfect snapshot of a moment of connection. “Should I See You Again” brings the EP to a poignant close. It’s a song of love and longing, but also one of strength, of refusing to bend or break to fit into someone else’s mould.

I’ve listened to The Folk Singer several times over the last few days and every time I fall a little more in love with it. It’s an exceptional collection of songs that are honest, personal, and poetic. It’s available exclusively for fans on Kerryn’s Bandcamp page.

Image used with permission from Kerryn Fields