Zoe Johnston - Come Back Once More 
Release Date: Out Now
You know Zoe Johnston. You might not think you do but her voice has been there, in all its unique glory, for years now and you can't help but be astounded by her gentle power and articulate lyricism. 'Come Back Once More', Johnston's new album, sees her step out from behind the likes of Faithless, Above & Beyond and Bent to showcase a record all of her own and, as you might expect, it is deeply personal so tread lightly, my friends.
The album opens with the twilight softness of 'Stars & Velvet' that bubbles along on a loose bassline and deft keyboard notes with Johnston showing her subtlety of vocal tone with immediate and devastating effect. Title track 'Come Back Once More' is a more traditional acoustic strum but the layering of the vocals gives this a trippy Morcheeba meets Portishead vibe in the chorus which I am very much here for. A stirring string melody gets 'Like the Sun' going and it very much feels like a sunny Saturday morning with no chores ahead of you and sunshine streaming in through the window while that bubbling bass returns to put a little skip in your step. The purity and honesty of emotion is brilliantly palpable in every track but this includes an overwhelming feeling of love which is uncomplicated, unconditional and entirely good for the soul.
'Laurie (Don't Misrepresent Me)' is a laid back piano based affair with some gorgeous strings making the piece swell while 'Be Courageous' pushes the music further towards the jazz end of the spectrum with a shuffling rhythm section underpinning the lyrical arm around the shoulder; "Be courageous, know your worth". The acoustic lilt of 'Starlight' has a snowflake-esque delicate nature to it before 'Broken' opens with a choir of vocals and reversed melody that slowly swells into a warm meander through familiar streets. There's a hint of Luke Concannon to the arrangement on 'No Time Left' which explores self-doubt but still has a steely focus on the horizon. So much of this album feels like the calm after the storm but without ever forgetting that the storm happened or being complacent about having survived it - this could have been called 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'.
'Neon Gold' (great potential band name) swoons and floats effortlessly atop a piano and string melody until 'Respect My Heart' takes a more direct approach as Johnston manifests; "I've seen a lot of ugly things in this world, a lot of hateful things in this world, but I don't have to change them, no". The curiously titled 'I Belong Inside the TV' is an almost Parisian chanson with a mournful folk edge but, again, that sense of healing and progression in life and love. Penultimate track 'Evermore Bright' is the darkest part of this album but that is part of recognition that you can't appreciate the light of life until you've seen the darker parts of yourself and stared them down. The album closes out with the uplifting melody of 'Set Out On Your Journey' and that bass is back for the kind of song that makes you want to tell everything and everyone holding you back to take a long walk off a short pier while you look to the horizon and head for the sun. Johnston's voice is, as always, beautiful in its power and subtlety but the emotional journey, the personal experience and the wisdom contained on this album elevates that from a superb vocal performance to something on an entirely different level. There is no fanfare about this album release and that's probably as it should be but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be more love and attention for what is definitely a strong contender for album of the year.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/officialzoejohnston
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