Album review: Esme Bridie – Today It Rains
ALBUM REVIEW
Artist – Esme Bridie
Album – Today It Rains
Release date – 23rd March 2018
Reviewer – Graham Holland, Liverpool Acoustic
You’re a solo singer-songwriter planning to record your debut album. Do you
a) Replicate your live performances – just you and your guitar?
or
b) Sign up with Klee Music and make some magic?
I’m delighted young Esme Bridie chose the latter option, and Today It Rains is the result.
Anyone who’s seen Esme live will already know about her collection of superb, self-penned songs which she performs with a distinctive, gentle voice and assured guitar style. Today It Rains takes those songs and elevates them to the next level.
The album consists of twelve songs (there’s a vinyl release, naturally!) kicking off with the punchy Self Destructive and finishing with the jaunty Precious Life. In between we have old favourites What You Had Yesterday, Only Young and her most well-known song Big Brown Boots. These three feature on Esme’s 2016 EP Only Young, and listening back to the original versions illustrates just how far the magicians at Klee Music have taken her.
Some songs such as Self Destructive and the powerful Tower of Regret feature a full band sound. Dirty Hands and Old Love (How Did We Get This Way) are amongst the tracks that take a more pared back approach. The jazzy Queen Bee (Side 2, Track 3!) is one of my particular favourites.
The instrumentation throughout this album is sympathetic and never over-bearing, with every single track allowing Esme’s voice to shine through. I especially enjoyed the use of strings, and the harp on What You Had Yesterday was a pleasant surprise.
As debut albums go Today It Rains is a real triumph, and I for one can’t wait to see what the future holds for Esme Bridie!
Graham Holland
Review © Graham Holland, Liverpool Acoustic
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Today It Rains is released on Friday 23rd March as a digital download and limited edition vinyl via Kleemusic.
The album launch takes place on Thursday 22nd March at Studio2 Parr Street.
Advance tickets and ticket/LP bundles are available on Skiddle.
Facebook event here.
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Esme Bridie
Website – esmebridie.com
Facebook – facebook.com/esmebridiemusic
Twitter – twitter.com/EsmeBridie
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