I first heard of Kathryn Williams when this album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, and I vaguely recall a TV appearance on Jools Holland's Later.
I bought this as soon as I saw it, on the strength of that and it's been an album I've not returned to it often enough, despite always enjoying it.
There's nothing new, or groundbreaking about this album, but it is that rare thing, a singer/songwriter's album done beautifully, without compromise, on her own terms - twelve songs (well, eleven, one's an instrumental intermission) and there isn't a dud here. Most of the songs have a gentle accompaniment of guitar, cello and double bass, giving a depth which doesn't overwhelm Williams' exquisite and thoughtful vocals. It's hard not to have Nick Drake's work brought to mind, although her influences clearly spread far wider.
It's hard to pick out favourites, but opener We Dug A Hole is a lovely, minimal piece, and it's followed by the fantastic Soul To Feet, a more musically, if not lyrically, upbeat number, reminiscent of early EBTG. There are some lovely harmonies on Fell Down Fast, Tell The Truth As If It Were Lies flows a little more sadly, while Each Star We See is just fantastic.
If you like gentle love songs, with grown up lyrics, this might just be what you're looking for.
4* - a lovely album of lovely songs, arranged and delivered beautifully
Comments