EP Review: 'A Shorter Story' - Ward Thomas

If releasing the #1 album Cartwheels just last year wasn't enough, Ward Thomas have decided to treat fans to another collection of tracks - this time in the form of a highly anticipated EP of covers.

Catherine and Lizzy's unique twists on well known songs are always highlights at their live shows, and their Snug Sessions on YouTube are always immensely enjoyable - to finally have a bunch of studio recorded covers has been a long time coming.

A Shorter Story has been worth the wait and serves as proof that the duo's signature sublime harmonies aren't limited to just one genre. From Damien Rice to Justin Timberlake to Kings of Leon, the girls make each song their own.

The real standout track of a very strong bunch, is the girls' take on Crowded House's 'Better Be Home Soon'. The simplistic nature of the arrangement allows for their vocals and harmonies to absolutely shine. It's simply stunning and is a wonderful way to close out the EP.

Tracklisting:
1. 'The Blower's Daughter'
2. 'What Goes Around...Comes Around'
3. 'Shine'
4. 'WALLS'
5. 'Better Be Home Soon'

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A Shorter Story is available for download now and you can pick up a physical copy at the remaining dates of their UK tour.

REVIEW: 'Orphan Offering' - Yola Carter

I'll cut straight to it - Yola Carter has one of the strongest voices that I have ever heard.

Her voice packs so much emotion, power and soul, it is absolutely crazy to think that this lady is an independent artist. This is an artist who is up there with the quintessential powerhouses of music - the Adeles, the Mariahs and the Arethas.

On paper, that seems like a lot of pressure to put on an artist who has still yet to release a full length album but these are comparisons that I could not help but make. Yola's six track EP, Orphan Offering, is one of the most compelling pieces of music that I have listened to in quite some time. The EP combines a whole host of genres such as country, soul, gospel and jazz and, because it's not pigeonholed into one genre, it has tremendous mainstream appeal.

In short, Yola Carter should be on all the big radio stations here, there and everywhere.

Lyrically, Orphan Offering is also strong and addresses tough but important issues. Carter had a hard upbringing, coming from a broken home and a community in which racism was not uncommon. This allows for the EP to become part-autobiographical and part-social/political commentary. One such track, 'Dead and Gone' tackles head on, the obstacles that black women face in the music industry today.

Track 'Orphan Country' is equally as haunting. Carter's vocals are vulnerable; every line she sounds close to tears as she sings about the problems that she faced to be heard, making a comparison to a horse who should be allowed to run free. Having read the press release prior to listening and learning about how she was 'banned' from making any music by a parent suffering from mental illness, this track was incredibly striking.

'Fly Away' features a(nother) vocal masterclass alongside a fiddle which makes the track one of the more 'country' sounding ones on the EP but it's arguably just as bluesy and there's also a gospel element to it, very much so in the latter half of the song as Yola and her backing singers demonstrate the wonderful dynamic between them.

The EP opener, 'Home' is definitely the right song to start the collection off on. Delicate guitars and vocals open the track before growing in ferocity and passion - the latter of the two is found in every song that follows.

Orphan Offering is evocative and Yola Carter's voice is simply stunning. I truly don't think she'll remain an independent artist for much longer...

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Orphan Offering is available now. For more information on Yola, please visit yolacarter.com.

EP Review: 'Out of Towners' - Clara Bond

Country music purists often argue that there is no place for pop in the genre. Of course, this is merely opinion but there has been many an artist who has tried to mix the two genres, creating an end product that sounds incredibly gimmicky, almost validating these arguments. But there has also been many an artist who has successfully managed to play with these two genres. Take Kelsea Ballerini, Taylor Swift and, now, Clara Bond.

On her new EP, Out of Towners, Clara blends pop and country effortlessly. There's no gimmicks and there's not one single moment at which it seems as if she's trying to be something that she's not. Whilst she may be leaning closer to pop, there's definite country influences on this four track release, a release that she has stated is 'so close to [her] heart'.

The title track is bittersweet, a track about feeling out of place and like a fish out of water, and was written during Clara's solo trip to the States. The following song, 'Tambourine' is the sort of number that I would expect from the aforementioned country pop powerhouses Ballerini and Swift. It's so elegantly written and beautifully sung and if given the right exposure, could easily be a huge song.

'Love Can't Stay' is a catchy track about a love that just wasn't meant to be, another track written based on her trip to America, and closing number 'Flashbacks' is a stunning conclusion to the EP, a fantastic showcase of a powerful and faultless voice.

All in all, this release is very strong. Definitely an artist to watch out for and definitely worth a purchase.

For more information on Clara visit clarabond.com. Out of Towners is available now.

EP REVIEW: 'I Remember' - Gary Quinn

Gary Quinn is perhaps one of the best known names on the UK country scene, touring tirelessly and popping up at festivals including C2C and Buckle and Boots. It's pretty impressive that he manages to find time to record. Yet he does and he did recently, producing the five track I Remember EP which was released at the start of the month.

The EP has been described by Gary as 'a very personal project' and as a 'reflective piece of work' about different points in his life. This knowledge makes a song like 'Each Night You Lie' especially heart-breaking as it tells the tale of a couple slowly losing their spark and drifting apart.  It also makes the track 'First Glance' even sweeter, knowing that the already charmingly cutesy number about the beginning of a relationship was written with a certain someone in mind.

'Shame', which was the first single to be released from the project, most definitely towers above the others when it comes to picking a favourite track from a very solid collection. It's catchy with a kicking drumbeat. This song has received many a positive review and rightfully so. It's a song about struggling to move on and you'll be struggling to move on from this song and not listen to it on repeat.

'Body Language' is a fun track and surely will be a feature single and EP closer 'Best Man Won' is the sort of track that fans have come to expect from Gary - one that is packed with heart at the core.

All in all, I Remember is a solid release and will solidify Gary as a very strong contender to win another Male Vocalist of the Year award at the BCMAs. 

For further information about Gary, visit garyjpquinn.co.uk.

EP REVIEW: 'This Time Around' - Kaity Rae

Out tomorrow (June 10th), Kaity Rae's second EP, This Time Around is a perfect release for the summer.

The young singer-songwriter is a tremendous talent and it really is an exciting time for the UK country scene to have artists of her caliber emerging. Kaity's four track EP is a very positive indication of where the scene is headed, as well as a very promising indication of where her own career is headed.

1. Before I Knew: This track is the perfect opener, as it serves as a perfect introduction to who Kaity Rae is. This song is catchy and country-pop at its finest and is about a cheating ex. Yet instead of wallowing in a sad song about heartbreak, the upbeat nature of the song allows for the much more positive message that you're a lot better off without people like that in your life. It's a nice note to start things off on.

2. This Time Around: This song is very addictive and there is something very satisfying about how the gentle guitar at the start grows in intensity over the course of the song. The same can be said about Kaity's vocals which start off soft and grow much more powerful over the three minutes. Combined with the steady drumbeat and a wonderfully written, hook-laden chorus, this song is perfect for the summer months.

3. Back In My Heart: A song about the confusing, overpowering and changing feelings that love can bring, especially at the end of a relationship, Kaity, again, puts an upbeat spin on a topic that many opt to go for a sadder tone on. There's also some really great guitar playing on this track, including a very nice solo around the middle mark which makes this one really stand out.

4. All That I Am: Saving the best till last, this song feels symbolic of the big future that awaits Kaity. All about taking chances in life to succeed, this track is a change of pace from the rest of EP. Stripped back, this song allows Kaity's voice to shine more than ever before and its result is a beautiful track that closes a fantastic EP as well as an indication that Kaity's time to fly high isn't too far off.

This Time Around is available from June 10th and is definitely worth checking out for lovers of country, pop and well-written songs or for those who simply want to be able to say 'I heard her first'. 


ABOUT KAITY RAE

Kaity Rae is a singer-songwriter from North London set to take the UK Country scene by storm in 2016 following a two week song writing trip to Nashville in April and winning a place in a song writing workshop courtesy of PRS at The Americana Music Association UK awards early 2016.

Spark was Kaity's debut EP, and was released on the 5th of November 2014. This has led to radio play on Amazing Radio, BBC Gloucestershire and more recently a live session and interview on BBC Introducing Three Counties. The EP has also gained attention from top UK Country acts, including The Shires' Ben Earle who took to twitter to say that he 'Loves' the fourth and final track 'It Is'.

Kaity gigs all over southern England and has supported the likes of Sasha Mcveigh and Sonia Leigh on their 'Mind the Gap Tour', US singer/songwriters Jeffrey Foucault, Angel Snow and Dayna Kurtz. She has also played in top London venues such as the 02 Islington, The Bedford and The Roundhouse for Roundhouse Rising.

Since the release of Spark, Kaity has been developing her sound whilst studying a song writing degree at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, and is now releasing her second EP, This Time Around on June 10th. The opening track, 'Before I Knew' is out as a single on 20th May. Produced by John Denzil Dines, recorded at Cream Room Sound Productions studio and released on Folkstock Records

For more information on Kaity, follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook and check out her official site.

EP REVIEW: Fifth Floor EP - Fifth Floor

Nashville, Tennessee may be the spiritual home of country music but the genre has a global appeal. Take Fifth Floor. Moa and Matilda both hail from Sweden and met each other whilst at university in the UK. Now, two years later, the duo release their first EP, Fifth Floor.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the duo have known each other for a lot longer than just a couple of years. The duo have an electric chemistry that fizzes through the energetic, yet sadly short, EP. The release is, for the most part, is fast paced...I have a feeling that these two put on a very, very energetic live show (and if they'd like to bring that show up to Scotland, this reviewer would be very grateful!)

1. You're Not in The Picture Anymore: For those listening to this opener without having heard Fifth Floor before, I think this song is a great introduction to the duo. It's upbeat and well-written, with the chorus cleverly built around the title of the song, a phrase that we've all heard before - as an English student, I particularly love the chorus for this reason. There's also a satisfying level of sass on the track as the song says goodbye to an ex in a defiant fashion.

2. Drink It Away: This is their first single and the first song they released. For those who read my review of this song a few weeks back, I think it was pretty clear that I adore this song. If it wasn't clear then, then let me be clear now - I ADORE this song! It's about forgetting your troubles through, well...you can guess from the title. This song is another one of defiance, about not letting things in the past drag you down. It's feel good and will stick around in your head long after you've finished listening to it. Yet, saying all that, it's not my favorite track on the EP...

3. Where The Credits Roll: ...THIS is my favorite song on the EP. As big a fan as I am of the duo's energy in the other three tracks, I love the more stripped back feel of this one. This ballad allows Moa and Matilda's voices to shine. Heartbreaking, yet beautiful, this song is about whether to let your head, rather than your heart, rule whether or not to end a relationship that you know is no good. The story in this song is fantastic, as is the musical depth of this duo. Truly fantastic.

4. Ghost Town; A feisty track with a real kick. It's rockier than the others. This track takes the listener on a very visual experience with the opening lyrics: 'Tyre tracks in the dirt, from where they stopped from where they served', painting a very vivid scene for the listener of what this eponymous ghost town they're trapped in, looks like. It's just some brilliant songwriting and storytelling.

Again, this EP is short but it most definitely is sweet. It's available to download from today and I personally recommend that you make the small yet definitely worthy investment of going and downloading it right now.


ABOUT FIFTH FLOOR

Fifth Floor is a Swedish singer/songwriter duo with modern pop, rock and country influences. After meeting at university in London, Moa and Matilda began writing songs together and eventually made the decision to form a duo in the summer of 2014.

Moa is originally from Helsingborg in the South-West of Sweden, 20 minutes across the sea from Denmark. She grew up playing and listening to rock music and studied music through her upper secondary school years before moving to London in 2012. Matilda grew up on the South-East island of Öland, in small town Färjestaden (funnily enough located 20 minutes across the sea from mainland Sweden). After listening to mostly pop in her early years, she later discovered her passion for country music. Having written songs since age 11, Matilda made the decision to move to London and pursue music in 2012.

The two first met online via Twitter after a quick search for future music university classmates lead Matilda to Moa, who had her audition in London that very day. After bonding over their mutual love of pop/rock band McFly they soon became friends. During a procrastination-prone exam week, Matilda encouraged Moa to watch ABC's Nashville and the Helsingborg native was soon converted into a country music fan. One year later, Fifth Floor was formed.

For more information and to stay up to date with the duo, follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook and check out their official site.