Glasgow-based Irish singer-songwriter Martha Ffion made us fall in love with her single “Take Your Name” over the course of the past month. With her debut album, Sunday Best, out now via Turnstile Music, she is set to conquer even more hearts and ears.
Sunday Best is a dreamy guitar-pop record; both the coming-of-age moment to the artist in its lyrical honesty and true ear candy to the listener. It lies somewhere between early Lana Del Rey and current BØRNS, with a very retro sounding twist that makes Ffion the distinctive musician she is. First track, “Missing You,” provides a ballad-ish kick off that leads up to “Real Love,” a song with a rather rhythmic indie side which quality also returns on “Lead Balloon” later on.
While “Take Your Name” is the obvious lead single, there are lot more layers to be discovered with each song. “Punch Drunk” and “Beach” feed on folk-inspired sensibilities while “‘Record Sleeves” and “No Applause” are by far the heaviest, dotted with catchy rock riffs. The solo on the latter would surely make for a memorable live experience, but until we get there, let’s just enjoy this unexpected stylistic surprise. The playful piano lead on “We Make Do” is also a fun addition. A similar pattern in rhythm can be heard on the closing track “Baltimore,” which is simply the musical manifestation of a good old fun fair – carousels, cotton candy and all that.
What makes Sunday Best a great listen and debut is how she manages to bring various influences under one roof and completely own it; without breaking the nicely balanced harmony that flows through the record. Bravo!
