Suzanne Gailey provides a compelling range of folk and alt-country appeal on Plain Speaking, which serves as the Brighton, UK-based artist’s debut EP. Multi-instrumentalist Nick Williams also plays a variety of instrumentation, in addition to Gailey’s work on vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, and songwriting.
“You don’t see the mess you’re putting us through,” the vocals lament on opening track “Eyes Wide Shut,” playing with scathing immersion with references to ivory towers and “veil of empathy.” Gailey describes the effort as “a wake up call to the apathy of a society in turmoil.” The resonating “wake me up when it’s over,” compels amidst the steady acoustics and sporadic key twinkling; it’s a stellar kickoff to the EP.
Featuring accordion and mandolin, “Driftwood” is riveting in its range from subdued folk to orchestral-friendly swells; the “stars go on for miles,” outpouring is lovably reminiscent of Weyes Blood. EP finale “Nowhere Left” is another standout, containing a clip of President Zelensky in its concluding moments — emphasizing a resilience within tumult and threats of evil. Plain Speaking is a powerful success from Suzanne Gailey.
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“Eyes Wide Shut” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
