Bethany Barrie is an artist with her finger firmly on the pulse of human experience. The Scottish singer-songwriter’s debut EP is an acutely delicate observation of the human mind. Entitled ‘from therapy, with love’, it conveys a deeply personal reflection on the fragility of emotion. Unafraid to plunge dark depths but always in sight isContinue reading “Bethany Barrie – from therapy, with love”
Category Archives: UK Country Music
Hannah’s Yard and Sarah-Louise – A Two-Song Review
What I love most about acoustic covers is their ability to reveal songs in a new light. That is certainly the case with two recent releases from Sarah-Louise and Hannah’s Yard. The former has put out a magical reimagining of ‘Simply the Best’, Tina Turner’s powerhouse vocals disappearing to be replaced by Sarah-Louise’ tender, jazz-inflectedContinue reading “Hannah’s Yard and Sarah-Louise – A Two-Song Review”
Lisa T – Nice to Meet You… Again
It really is nice to hear Lisa T again, over a year after her last single ‘Easy Love’. ‘Nice to Meet You… Again’ marks her debut EP, and its one which follows a similar pattern. Combining the acoustic with techno-pop to create a record that is as broad as Country gets. It starts with anContinue reading “Lisa T – Nice to Meet You… Again”
Two Ways Home – She Keeps Time Like a Casio
Can you spot yourself in the latest single from Two Ways Home? You’re either like the timekeeper of the track’s title or the latecomer scorned by their punctuality. I most definitely identify with the latter. Except I don’t make the kind of excuses that the person on ‘She Keeps Time Like a Casio’ does. PlacingContinue reading “Two Ways Home – She Keeps Time Like a Casio”
Taynee Lord – Back to the Country
Taynee Lord’s latest single reminds me of why an opportunity to move to the city a couple of years ago was worth turning down. For, against a backdrop of country-pop-rock, she pines to move ‘Back to the Country’. Her motives make sense – more affordable housing, closer connections – but these positives fail to outweighContinue reading “Taynee Lord – Back to the Country”
Bergendahl – Cottagecore Country
Bergendahl is one of a few new names that have come across my path in 2025. Sitting somewhere between pop and folk on the spectrum of Country Music, her latest EP ‘Cottagecore Country’ presses firmly into the ballad. Opening song ‘Black Fog’ is much more stylised in the mould of acoustic guitar, ideal for aContinue reading “Bergendahl – Cottagecore Country”
Bethany Barrie – Been Here Before
If the name Bethany Barrie is unfamiliar, it shouldn’t be for long. This Scottish singer-songwriter is a recent discovery for me, and her latest single has made me a fan. ‘Been Here Before’ incorporates a recognisably Celtic sound. Its positive percussion and uplifting violin playing to a message of reassurance. She goes through the emotionalContinue reading “Bethany Barrie – Been Here Before”
Katy Hurt – Rather Be
Hot on the heels of Annie Dressner’s song comes another from Katy Hurt. ‘Rather Be’ is a fitting companion to the former’s ‘For the Thrill of It’ – both tackling the subject of misogyny in the music industry with candour and irony. The approach is classic Katy. The sound a mix of country, blues andContinue reading “Katy Hurt – Rather Be”
Joe Martin – Strangers to Lovers
These are exciting times for Joe Martin. ‘Strangers to Lovers’ is the first single off his next album, and it promises much. Since I last saw him live, the Lancashire singer-songwriter has honed his craft. Pushing into a troubadour identity of which this song is representative. An acoustic rendering in part influenced by his producer,Continue reading “Joe Martin – Strangers to Lovers”
Annie Dressner – For the Thrill of It
Annie Dressner is not a new name to me. But her music is. And as with Demi Marriner, I wonder why it’s taken so long for her songs to land in my ear. For her latest release led me straight to her back catalogue. To a fabulously folky 2024 album which new single ‘For theContinue reading “Annie Dressner – For the Thrill of It”
desperatelylostcity.com 