SINGLE REVIEW: Kirsten Adamson - Without Warning

'Without Warning' is the latest single from Kirsten Adamson, daughter of Big Country's late founder and frontman Stuart Adamson.

I find myself on a massive Big Country hyperfocus at the moment which has involved listening to almost every album and side projects. I stumbled across Kirsten's work along with her brother Callum's band ahab during my extensive research, both are exceptional talents and it's a shame neither have received the commercial success they deserve.

'Without Warning' is a stunning display of Kirsten's unique voice, sublime abilities as a guitarist and exquisite songwriting skills.

Having listened to much of Kirsten's back catalogue I must confess latest album "Landing Place" from which 'Without Warning' is lifted resonated with me more than her 2015 Self Titled debut, the latter delivering more of a bold, cabaret, showtune style sound while the former blends elements of country and rock with pure, Sandy Denny inspired folk.

A few months younger than myself Kirsten's words on 'Without Warning' could have been lifted from my own thoughts. The idea of preferring to opt for retro things and retain the innocence of childhood than get caught up in modern society. The realisation that people are fickle coming into your life, showing you a brief good time then letting you down before drifting off again "without warning". The line "but I trust my 80's heart even though it's fragile and beat up' feeling particularly poignant, as you grow and experience heartache and hardship you come to discover the only person you can truly believe in is yourself. Kirsten's words hit me deep, everything she writes channelling how I feel.

Musically, 'Without Warning' is an up-beat, heartwarming array of country blended with soft rock and lots of hook heavy catchy guitars. The pace changes at times into grand, majestic soaring solos while at others it brings it right down for a moment of thoughtful acoustic. Kirsten's vocals are unique; both sweet with adolescent innocence while also raw channelling the frustrations of adulthood.

Kirsten's is a massive talent, an incredible voice and one of the most genuine songwriters you'll find.

I need to end this review by mentioning the sublime album track 'The Deserve Better', this is true stop you in your footsteps stuff. The notion of how messed up modern society is everything controlled by social status, growing up fast, wealth determining whether someone thrives or burns out. The idea that there's no heroes left just lying cheating ways. It urges parents not to let their children buy into the modern rat race, instead opt for the simplicity of bygone days. The sound is tranquil with a captivating twinkle of pure folk which allows the beauty in Kirsten's voice to truly shine.

I could honestly rave about Kirsten's work for hours, one of my favourite discoveries of the last 12 months. She feels like the kind of warm, homely person you could spend hours exchanging stories and experiences with like you'd known her all your life. I cannot urge you to check out 'Without Warning' enough, in fact my best recommendation is to listen to the whole of "Landing Place" you'll not be disappointed.