I'm writing this one off round-up post to catch up on a considerable volume of great music which I've just not had time to cover in the detail I've wanted over the past few weeks. (I used to do "Friday highlights" posts for a similar reason - I think I should probably resurrect those). I've tweeted about some of these releases briefly already; some I haven't yet mentioned at all. I hope you enjoy and perhaps even discover something new. And don't forget that there are lots more great tracks on my July Spotify playlist.
Andrea von Kampen - August Simply sublime. This is one of those tracks which rings out with chilly brilliance; Andrea's vocals sound like they're from a different realm at times, yet delivered with effortless intimacy. You can feel the natural inspirations for her work shining through with a rare and precious immediacy.
Cruel Sister - Hands Oh I'm honestly a bit obsessed with this one: a no-nonsense, kick ass track packed with post-grunge, alt-punk, guitary goodness. Cruel Sister (Faith Nico) has a lot to say, and has been blessed with the talent to say it with full and varied expression. This track starts strong, but builds stronger, culminating in an ultimately cathartic - but entirely necessary - screaming outro, a brilliant juxtaposition to the intro where Faith's voice is tuneful and misleadingly sweet.
Ella Clayton - Stairwell A fragile, gently moving collection of new live recordings of some of Ella's best works, including the stunningly conceived 'Murmurations'. This is an old-fashioned record in some ways: a simple showcase of Ella's voice and poetic brilliance, recorded (in a stairwell) without fuss or fancy touches.
She is exactly the kind of artist who can get away with this - she's a pure and natural talent, and this record puts you right there with her as she sings her heart out.
Jenny Colquitt - Without You This track cements Jenny's position as one of our era's best singer-songwriters. She is quietly and steadfastly building a really impressive body of work. It's an exquisite song, centred on pinpoint vocals which ease their ways to dizzy heights, over delicate piano chords and a timeless melody. This bears many repeat plays. Quite moving and simply gorgeous.
Lizzie Esau - Deepest Blue [EP]
The record also features some previously released singles, including a long-time fan favourite: the gently rocking, cosmic-grunge journey which is 'Bleak Sublime'.
Lizzie is a favourite of this blog and it's been wonderful to anticipate and then experience the evolution of her musicianship over the past couple of years; with an EP now under her belt, this seems to mark both the end of a chapter and a move into a new one.
You can feel a sense of that established confidence and excitement all through 'Deepest Blue'.
Rai Kah Mercury - Constraints of Reality [EP] This is really good stuff. A five-track journey of a record which showcases the next-level talent of this diverse four-piece band. It's a record which seamlessly and effortlessly spans genres: it's blues rooted, yet progressive; firmly grounded and at the same time dusk-tinged rock.
And all written and performed to perfection, with satisfyingly clean production. Check out 'Chandelier Sunrise', which I think could be my favourite track (although that seems to change every time I listen through the record).
Vona Vella - Vona Vella [Album] An eponymous album from this multi-instrumentalist duo, packed with typically engaging, fresh and cutting-edge songs. The record builds nicely to 'Intertwined' at track 4, giving that song the feels of a beating heart at the centre of the work. It's one of those exceedingly well-judged, rhythmically paced tracks and works so well there. After that, we're taken by the hand and invited to sit for 'Kim', which leaves us in something of a relaxed haze and open to the next direction of the record.
After that, there are plenty more rises and falls, across tracks and also within them: 'Anchor' is another stand out, with some quiet moments and a second half which is a well executed exercise in pacing and melodic interplay. This track, and the album as a whole, also makes great use of the male/female vocal interplay which marks out Vona Vella's work.
YONAKA - Welcome To My House [EP] This record marks a real maturing of Yonaka's sound and message. It's a beautifully crafted EP, covering vast swathes of territory both musically and lyrically. It also showcases Theresa's vocals better than ever before. I loved the insanely catchy 'PANIC' when it was released as a single, and here, as track two on the record, it provides a great segue from opening track 'By The Time You're Reading This' into 'Welcome To My House'.
With 'Give Me My Halo', things become reflective and extremely enlightening: it's starts as an alt-pop piano ballad, and opens up broadly into the more powerful territory that we're familiar with.