Alela Diane : ‘To Be Still' EP
Released: Out Now!!!
Label: Inertia
Folk and (most definitely) indie folk have gone through a bit of a renaissance of late. The Mercury Music Prize seems to have had a sizeable say in this, for better or for worse, but it is still enjoyable to see gentle melodic acts with skilful lyrics doing the rounds on the radio and the awards lists. With any justice, Alela Diane will obtain similar plaudits. Although she has released albums before, her presence has been under the radar. Appearances on cult and edgy television programmes – the brilliant “The Rifle” on Skins – has brought her more to the public’s attention and this EP will only serve to whet the appetite even further.
She has all the attributes to receive the acclaim she deserves, and more. Her voice is pure and strong yet has a vulnerability to it that likens her to Portishead’s Beth Gibbons solo days, and her uncluttered and simple arrangements create a naturalistic mystique; painting visions of lush New England forests or dusty plains of the American mid-west. In conjunction with simple yet far from banal lyrics, further illustrating the evocative, literary qualities her songs exude, you are left with an almost complete folk performer. Whilst the title track of this EP is a surprising weak link, with whiny electric guitar accompaniments and a pondering acoustic accompaniment, the remaining two – covers of more established folk performers – are triumphs. Michael Hurley’s ‘Fat Mama’ which captures the fearful and melancholic solitude of the folk troubadour, much in the vein of Bob Dylan, cleverly envisions the thoughts of this imagined wanderer and is a benchmark for judging Diane’s talents. The mournful and reflective voice complemented by a single guitar draw the listener in, until they are enveloped by the song’s total beauty. ‘Dusty Attic’ provides the foil for its predecessors on this intriguing offering. Diane’s straining, almost yodelling tones cut across a fantastic country beat boasting banjo and tremolo & slide guitar usage. With the rural lyrics completing the song, the end product is finely balanced and finishes the EP satisfactorily.
With the tendency to give most folksy roots musicians a fair shout in the business, Alela Diane’s inoffensive and well-formed songs should take their rightful place, next to critically revered artists like Rachel Unthank & The Winterset and Laura Marling, as the bedrock of future folk.
4/5
Words: John Elmes
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