Review

Polly Gibbons: As It Is

Polly Gibbons is a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful and powerful vocals. She grew up listening to a wide range of genres, including Jazz, blues, gospel and soul, which greatly influences her musical style on this peach of an album.

Opener "Disappointed" rests on a slinky blues riff akin to War’s "Lowrider" and it’s a winner adorned with breathy vocals until the triumphant chorus kicks in and the vocal stakes are supremely raised all the way to the building coda. Already Polly is making this platter a veritable tour de force.

The mood continues with the suspenseful and slow-burning "Couldn’t We Just", another gospel-inspired belter with thick swathes of Hammond from Ross Stanley and some cross-stick blessedness thrown in for good measure.

Polly goes full tilt mode with "Man Of Moderation" as she pours out her heart and soul and reaches Aretha heights as a full-blown gospel choir backs her to the bitter end.

The self-confessional style comes to a head on "Only Love".Her plaintive piano playing leads her out of the abyss and home to glory. Her lyrics explore themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, thought-provoking and introspective. The perfect vehicle for her voice which is rich, emotive, and filled with raw passion.

This album is emotionally resonant and deeply moving and the ensemble work is off the chain as is the production that Gearbox is widely known for. Suffice it to say, Polly Gibbons is a real touch of class.
Words Emrys Baird