Joanna Cooke - Kaleidoscope EP 
Release Date: February 2022
There comes a time in the career of every quality musician when they step it up a notch and that time has come for Joanna Cooke with her new 'Kaleidoscope EP'. The six track collection opens with recent single 'Good Lover' and the first thing you'll notice is that Cooke's sound has been augmented by a full backing band and it sounds glorious. The vibe is pure sunny Sunday mornings, opening the curtains and letting the world in but the lyrics are heavy of heart and that's what makes good, good soul music. On 'Caught Up', things take a more moody turn with those superbly rich and smooth vocals getting an urban makeover for a cruising track complete with backing singers. The piano on 'Haven't You Heard' is sombre and thoughtful as are the vocals but it's the songwriting that stands out here as the simple arrangement of piano and strings really catches you in the feels in a way that the likes of Adele would kill for.
'Like A Lover' is a luxurious and sultry melody with a laid back rhythm section which allows Cooke to lay her raw emotion and broken heart out for all to hear through her impassioned and soaring vocals. On 'Still Healing' we take a modern soul meets R&B direction with radio friendly production and a special mention for the drumming which really packs a punch. The EP closes out on a live recording of 'Falling A Little' which, honestly, is a sublime piece of songwriting played out on piano and vocals alone sounding like Jess Glynne doing a stripped down live lounge set. Joanna Cooke has the voice, the songs and she sure knows her way around a piano so what is the world waiting for? Hold the kaleidoscope up to the light and enjoy the tumbling colours.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic
Live Dates:
12th February - The Cove, Kingsbridge
17th February - The Chintz Underland Bar, Falmouth
24th February - The Fox Inn, Dorchester
8th March - Preston Gate Inn, Poughill
24th March - Teign Corinthian Yacht Club, Teignmouth
10th April - Elliot Arms, St Germans
15th April - Swan Inn, Noss Mayo
7th-8th May - Dart Music Festival, Dartmouth
13th May - Party in the City, Bath
28th May - Inn on the Shore, Downderry
4th June - Jazz Jurassica, Lyme Regis
11th June - Castlewood Wine Festival, Axminster
17th June - TBC, Exeter w/Wille & the Bandits