Hattie Whitehead - Bloom 
Release Date: 4th October 2024
For once, I'm a bit early with this one but I think it's justified just because of the sheer brilliance of this debut album from London based artist Hattie Whitehead. 'Bloom' is an eleven track (perfect album length, well done) collection that opens with 'Alive', a comforting, early morning acoustic chug with vocals that seem to come from the pillow next to yours, such is their intimacy. 'Valentine' continues with the same warmth and honesty as Whiteheads vocals layer up atop the soft guitars and shuffling beat before soaring into the chorus beautifully. On 'If You Hide', there is almost a child-like innocence to the lyrics but a richness and maturity to the arrangement that keeps this perfectly balanced.
The glitchy opening to 'Machine' sets it apart from the other tracks and starts to open you up to other sides of this emerging artist. There are elements of Joni Mitchell in the vocal performance but mixed with Newton Faulkner melodies and that is a brilliant combination in every sense of the word. By contrast, 'In The Rain' is a more organic and simple affair with delicately sprinkled piano notes drifting off on the gentle flow of the acoustic melody and that softer than snow vocal. That easy flow continues on 'The Last To Come Along' which lilts and sways with the soothing quality of a parent rocking their tiny baby to a place of comfort and peace before building to a crescendo of love full of happy tears and unsuppressible smiles.
The ripples of 'Distance' mix with the deftly deployed vocals to put me in mind of Zoe Johnston or Laura Marling while 'Too Much To Write' has a dreamy, Americana feel to it that I could listen to all night long. This really is an album to let yourself get lost inside and 'Sit And Wait' is the perfect example of that as it brings you a cup of something warm and snuggles up by the window with you to just watch the rain by the light of a fire.
Penultimate track, 'You Tell Me So', has a rocky chug to it but also a really satisfying build into the chorus before album closer 'No Man's Land' (incidentally the name of a village near me in Cornwall) takes us to an Autumnal piano melody that really brings out the warmth of Whitehead's vocal. I think Autumnal is the word for this album so grab your pumpkin spice latte (or mulled cider if you're more like me), stick on your favourite jumper and lets lean in to the cosiness shall we - this is the perfect soundtrack for that.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/hattiewhiteheadmusic
Live Dates:
8th October - Folklore Room, Brighton
10th October - The Grace