SINGLE REVIEW: LAURA BECKWITH - UNLEARN

Having recently caught up with Laura Beckwith at Buckle & Boots, it did alert us to a recent single that had passed us by. You need only see the cover picture to know that this is going to be good without hearing a note! Laura is pictured in bright sunshine, yet there's a shadow from leaves covering most of face, while she wears an expression that suggests that things are not going well, slightly distant, wounded and haunted.

It is primarily a piano ballad and the opening revelation, sets the scene and does not bode well

"I've been trying to unlearn

All of the things you taught me

I've been trying but it doesn't work

Still I can't trust nobody"

It's a definite downturn from the mood of "Not Used To This", the vocal here is honest and heartfelt and the lyric writing top class. It would take a hard heart not to be moved by lines like

"You gave me up with all of this baggage

You told me I was too much to manage

I gave you all of my free passes

I'm trying, I can't seem to move on"

The end of the first chorus does bring in the inevitable sound of electronica, which does slightly detract as it feels harsh and robotic when compared with reality of what is unfolding before us.

"I gave it all but you gave it up

I guess my love wasn't good enough

Promises were just words you said

Now I'm left tying up loose ends"

The arrival of a real drum sound puts things back on course, and Laura does a great job providing her own backing vocals, as the overall sound palette builds and swirls. It would however be nice just to hear a stripped back version at some point with just Laura and a piano, such is the compelling nature of her delivery.

The single ends suddenly with Laura singing "I gotta unlearn everything you taught me" and a final piano chord.

It is a masterful little single, full of emotion and as open and honest as it gets.

Hot off the back of a spectacular Buckle & Boots appearance the future does look bright for Laura Beckwith.