Sophie Barker - Seagull
by Lisa Torem
published: 25 / 5 / 2011
Label:
Ho Hum Records
Format: CD
intro
Emotive, but sometimes lacking-in-bite second solo album from former Zero 7 front woman, Sophie Barker
Singer-songwriter Sophie Barker’s singing recalls silky, long tresses swaying in the breeze. That voice has a light, unencumbered quality, yet, at times, you want a bit more bite or tear at the heart. She has worked with David Guetta and Groove Armada, and has been compared to Adele, though I think she is still developing her signature sound. Her second release, ‘Seagull’ focuses on true love, disillusionment and self-awareness. Referred to as, “acoustic pop for all occasions,” makes the album sound a little too generic, when, in fact, ‘Seagull’ contains several tunes that bring out Barker’s clever phrasing and performance ease. Still, it takes a few turns to get to the heart of the matter. ‘Just for you’ has a “come-hither” Norah Jones feel, but could use a little more icing. The backing arrangements, however, counter punch well here. ‘Home’ conveys a soulful groove while capturing moments of longing and anticipation and strikingly light harmonies. ‘Say Goodbye’ is a swooning, jazz-embued canvass which hints at a host of hidden talent. The careening melody of ‘Bluebell’ is lovely, but ‘I Sit and Hide’ is the tune which made me stop and take notice. It is a tranquilly, stark ballad pulled lovingly together by emotive hooks such as: “bound by you.” “As I fall into these empty arms of you,” is the lilting gem which bleeds into an embracing hypnosis of delicate sound bytes. They say that “three’s a charm.” I believe that Sophie Barker’s next release will bring her authentic self out even more successfully than ‘Seagull.’ Yet, there are some embracing moments here that should not be overlooked. .
Track Listing:-
1 Paradise Lost2 Seagull
3 Just For You
4 Home
5 Say Goodbye
6 Maybe I
7 Bluebell
8 I Sit And Hide
9 Insight
10 Paper Thin
Band Links:-
http://www.sophiebarker.com/http://sophiebarker.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/sophiebarkermusic
https://www.facebook.com/sophiebarkermusic
https://plus.google.com/103896354194621854284
Label Links:-
http://www.hohumrecords.com/https://twitter.com/hohumrecords
https://www.facebook.com/hohumrecordsltd
https://www.youtube.com/user/hohumrecords
soundcloud
reviews |
|
A Forest/Say Goodbye (2011) |
|
| Brilliant new multi-mixed EP from London-based singer-songwriter, which inlcudes a cover of the Cure's A Forest |
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