If you take a girl out of north London and put her in the heart of the Deep South of the US of A,you get Lil Lost Lou, an exciting new talent to emerge onto the country and western scene.
This year, the sassy brunette from Camden Town released her very first album, which is already making waves here and over the Pond - and with little wonder as it truly is a rather impressive debut.
The opening track, Boy From The City, is a lively little duet which, if they were still with us, would give Johnny and June Cash a run for their money.
For any of you Dolly Parton fans out there who have ever wondered what that other woman had to say about it all, Jolene doesn’t pull any punches while still paying tribute to the Queen of C&W with undertones of the original and much-beloved song.
Despite her undeniable passion for the country sound, Lil Lost Lou does sway away, bringing a soul and sometimes gospel feel to her music.
Particularly so on Rambling Woman, a track that puts her up there with the Carly Simons and Carole Kings of the world in regards to her melodic vocals, simplistic lyrics and comforting guitar.
Of course, no country album would be complete without the inevitable heartbreak that most artists of that genre thrive on lyrically. One and One shows off Lou’s vulnerability and we can all relate to the when-all-else-fails Ride A Train.
But this rockabilly babe also doesn’t take any prisoners and woe betide the chap who did her wrong in I Have Erased Your Number
The guttural swamp sound of Bones, Feathers, Black Boot, Rabbit Foot casts you under a musical voodoo spell with beautiful harmonies while He’s A Bad Boy is another knee-slapping, finger-clicking
In fact, you’d be hard pushed not to fall in love with this raw, emotional, funny and confident first offering from this superstar in the making.
Recorded in London and Nashville, this self-titled offering is available to buy now from Amazon, iTunes and her official website, which also offers more details about this singing sensation and where to catch her live - a must!
