Simplicity sometimes makes for the best songs. Hawthorn Avenue’s new single, ‘Ticket Home’, may have only a one-line chorus, but there’s something about its arrangement that captivates. The combination of tambourine, banjo, drums and guitar somehow work together to create a vibrant sound over which the duo’s gently flowing vocals sail. This extends to theContinue reading “Hawthorn Avenue – Ticket Home”
Author Archives: Gareth Williams
Y Golau – S4C
For such a highly-anticipated Welsh drama, Y Golau seemed to run the well-worn tracks of what has become the genre’s favoured train: the psychological thriller. Given its all-star Welsh cast, I expected something much more original and distinctly different from previous Welsh noirs like Hidden and The Pact. As a result, I felt underwhelmed byContinue reading “Y Golau – S4C”
Twinnie – Welcome to the Club
When Twinnie says, “I am either trying to break your heart, make you dance or both at the same time”, she means it. One need only listen to her new EP ‘Welcome to the Club’ if further proof were needed. She wraps loneliness, heartbreak and regret in catchy rhythms, pop-fuelled beats, and feelgood vibes thatContinue reading “Twinnie – Welcome to the Club”
Beth Keeping – Plane Tickets
You wait forever for a song about singleness and then two come along in quick succession. The latest, ‘Plane Tickets’, by Beth Keeping, comes hot on the heels of ‘When’s It Gonna Happen’ from Tenille Townes. But whereas the latter reaches for some kind of romantic ideal, Keeping remains firmly focused on her experience ofContinue reading “Beth Keeping – Plane Tickets”
Celebrated Virgins – Theatr Clwyd
If Katie Elin-Salt was in any doubt then the opening night of Celebrated Virgins was a moment to feel assured. Her excellent play, telling the story of the Ladies of Llangollen, was received by way of rapturous applause at its conclusion. And deservedly so. For this exploration of the relationship between Sarah Ponsonby and LadyContinue reading “Celebrated Virgins – Theatr Clwyd”
Paige Wolfe and Katy Hurt – A Joint Review
Both Paige Wolfe and Katy Hurt have made a wish this weekend. On the one hand, their wishes are very different. Yet at the heart of both of their new singles lies the theme of acceptance. In the case of Katy’s ‘Wish I Could Give You Up’, it is acceptance for the journey she hasContinue reading “Paige Wolfe and Katy Hurt – A Joint Review”
Absolute Radio Country’s 1st Anniversary
Absolute Radio Country has been celebrating its first birthday this month, with presenters coming together to share some of their favourite songs and highlights in a special show to mark the occasion. Since its evolution from Country Hits Radio to become part of the Absolute family twelve months ago, the station seems to have goneContinue reading “Absolute Radio Country’s 1st Anniversary”
Rachel Walker Mason – Colour Me Violet
Rachel Walker Mason is not a name familiar to many but her reputation extends far and wide within the music industry. The award-winning Bristol-based songwriter has penned songs for artists right across the spectrum, including country music. But she has saved three for herself which have just been released as the EP ‘Colour Me Violet’.Continue reading “Rachel Walker Mason – Colour Me Violet”
Anne Wilson – My Jesus
Anne Wilson is a name that may not have reached the ears of most country music fans thus far. Yet her southern upbringing and admiration for the genre runs through the core of her debut album ‘My Jesus’. The title track has already proved to be somewhat of a breakthrough hit for Wilson, recording overContinue reading “Anne Wilson – My Jesus”
Tenille Townes – Masquerades
It doesn’t take long to listen to Tenille Townes’ new EP and realise that its title is full of irony. Far from putting on a disguise or pretending to be someone else, ‘Masquerades’ presents a new level of honesty for the Canadian singer-songwriter. She moves from observational storyteller to highly personal introspection, removing the maskContinue reading “Tenille Townes – Masquerades”
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