Kate Bowen – A Time Before (2020)
Can you imagine an 8-year-old playing the trumpet? Well, UK-based Kate Bowen was one of those kids and I’m guessing she was adorable. She may have begun on the trumpet, but she soon diversified her “instrument-playing” skills learning the guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums and percussion. Inspired by the likes of Suzanne Vega and Joan Armatrading, Bowen has a robust folk sound with Elton John-esque pop undertones. We have the honour of reviewing her debut EP A Time Before.
A Time Before may have been penned in Bowen’s bedroom during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was recorded with producers Bill Sherrington and John Merriman at South London’s Crown Lane Studio. Well-textured and layered, A Time Before is an accumulation of soulful tracks forming a hazy ambience in which you can easily become lost. Oddly enough, while the swirl of sound can engulf you there remains a steadiness to Bowen’s sound keeping you “on your feet” so to say.
Beautiful in its simplicity, all of the tracks adopt a bare-bones approach enhancing the genuineness of the honest lyricism. Ranging from the empowering ‘Forget About You’ to the inspiring ‘Interesting World’ and reflective ‘For A While’, Bowen’s music is introspective with a lingering sentimentality. Highly notable, many of the tracks utilise a Joan Armatrading design; however, Kate Bowen’s husky, soulful and intimate vocals seem to transcend the iconic Armatrading – or at least stand alongside her.
My favourite track is ‘Don’t Wait Too Long’ – a pop meets folk ballad with a strong similarity to Elton John. The piano-led track seems cathartic with a wistful optimism. Once again, it is the simplicity of this singer-songwriter’s music that makes it beautiful. It’s strange, but despite the basic, stripped-back sound it still bursts with a kaleidoscopic cascade of tender-hearted melodies.
For more from Kate Bowen check out her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
