The 'Here Between' E.P. from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys is exactly what it says, coming between their 2012 album 'Release Your Shrouds' and an album which as yet is untitled and due for release later this year.
What you get here is the taster for the new album, a set of four tracks that vary between Appalachian folk music and bluegrass. The first track on the E.P., 'The Fix' reminded me slightly of Suzanne Vega's early stuff, with some interesting lyrics: -
“I’m not looking for an answer, I’m not trying for a tired old bag of tricks/ I need a fix, a frame shift”.
Track two, 'Into Words' ups the game slightly, with a jazzy bass underpinning banjo and fiddle, and the whole vibe not being a million miles away from 1920s Gypsy Swing, with some playful possibly self deprecating lyrics: - “Put into words, how it all becomes absurd/ All I do is struggle, yes I struggle to be heard”.
Track three, 'Here Between', the title track is a masterpiece of atmospheric folk music with bluegrass overtones. The lyrics on this track come across as intensely personal, and as a result are a real delight to hear: - “Another wasted day, tirelessly packed away and folded without care...Don't think I didn't try, don't think I didn't try to do it right/ I could never recognise hardship from a dream I might despise, I might despise."
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The closing track, 'The River Jordan' is an upbeat country style track heavy on guitar and fiddle, and sounding quite playful: -
“Take my hand, my one, and we'll shove off to the sun. Together we will run, the River Jordan/ With stars in our eyes, we'll sleep under the skies. Safe on the banks of the River Jordan”.
Overall, this is a really enjoyable E.P. and serves as an excellent taster for the forthcoming album. It is currently available from Earthworks store online and is well worth a listen.
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