Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It's taken me a while to discover this particular Hertfordshire-based singer/songwriter but now that I have, I'm already considering myself a fan. Recently I enjoyed her "Applauding From Heaven" single and this 2017 EP is, if anything, even better, although I still can't get my head around the description given by one journo who called Jessie's decidedly-unusual voice "Bjork and Lily Allen on acid". There might be a bit of Lily Allen in her voice, but I can't detect any LSD influences. What I can hear is a fine songwriter. Whether she's accompanied by simple acoustic guitar or a piano-driven backing, like on the absolute standout "Beans On Toast", the effect is compelling. All her songs here are gems, with "At Your Feet" a lovely song of worship ("You make music from cries and joy from my fears/And new things out of my falling tears"). Truly memorable. But the undiscovered classic is the aforementioned tribute to Heinz Baked Beans. Its reminiscences of childhood are simple but poignant ("I practise writing/And learnt to whistle/Making stick houses till/The bell's dismissal/After a long day on that gravel/I pretend I was happy/As thoughts unravelled"). But then come those comforting images of Dad making beans on toast ("I'd walk through the door/And there were beans on toast/You'd cut mine into squares/And we'd have beans on toast"). Simple, but somehow hauntingly emotive.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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