If you haven’t listened to Bess Atwell before then you are in for a treat. Her latest single ‘Harvested’, taken from her accompanying EP ‘Big Blue, is as easy to sink into as your sofa and a cool glass of wine after a long day at work. Her vocals are pure and mesmerising – her music, exploring themes of identity, romanticism, and reality – is tragic and beautiful.
‘Harvested’ takes you on a tranquil walk through budding nature with a lullaby-like intro, pulse-like drum and Atwell’s exquisite voice with accompanying male harmony. Bess comments on her new single, “I wrote ‘Harvested’ about a very complicated friendship; Two people whose overwhelming similarities could comfort and cripple the other in equal measure.”
With a sweetly innocent indie-folk feel, the EP explores various themes from female empowerment in ‘Swimming Pool’ to a darker tone discussing human sell-by dates in ‘Cherry Baby’. Each track flows smoothly to the next and Bess Atwell plants her unique stamp on each song. It’s only on the first few notes of the hazy finale, ‘Ventnor Villas’ I pick up tones comparable to Lana Del Rey.
Singles from ‘Big Blue’ have been playlisted by BBC Radio 6 Music and live performances have been championed by the likes of The Guardian and The Independent and paved the way for live sessions on Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley’s shows. ‘Big Blue’ was produced by Giles Barrett (Johnny Flynn, Marika Hackman, Goat Girl) and follows acclaimed debut album ‘Hold Your Mind’ released in 2016.
Bess Atwell is returning to festival favourites such as Dot To Dot and Green Man as well as performing a headline UK tour. I would catch her while you can and listen to this stunning EP live.
Live Dates:
24th May – Dot To Dot, Manchester
25th May – Dot To Dot, Bristol
26th May – Dot To Dot, Nottingham
1st June – Rough Trade East, London
26th July – Deer Shed Festival, Yorks
27th July – Farm Fest, Bruton
4th August – Underneath The Stars Festival, Barnsley
15th August – Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park
7th October – Bodega, Nottingham
8th October – Broadcast, Glasgow
10th October – Omeara, London
11th October – Soup Kitchen, Manchester
12th October – Louisiana, Bristol
13th October – Hope and Ruin, Brighton
20th October – Swn Festival, Cardiff
Bess Atwell’s new EP ‘Big Blue’ is released on May 24th via Mother’s Milk Records.