Spread the Social Love:

Review: Rachel Sermanni - Under Moutains [Album]

Middle of Nowhere // "Sermanni makes some intriguing proposals on her debut and promises much more for the future"

by bartleet91, October 22nd, 2012 and has been Read 548 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire October 27th, 2012.

Follow @LarryBartleet

Rachel Sermanni’s debut album Under Mountains comes after two self-released EPs and a single, 'Eggshells', as well as support slots for Elvis Costello, Mumford and Sons and Fink. Now releasing the album her own label, Middle of Nowhere, she's achieved a level of artistic autonomy rare for a twenty year old. She hails from a small village in the Scottish Highlands, an influence which comes across clearly in her lyrics.

WATCH // Rachel Semanni - Eggshells

Opening track 'Breathe Easy' is a warm lilt supported by lumbering double-bass and intermittent bursts of strings. Melodically, it's clear that Sermanni knows exactly what she's doing, constructing an album full of memorable tunes. One notable aspect of her songwriting is that she doesn't always go for the easy road. There are several intriguing changes of direction, particularly on 'See Oh Sea'.



There's a well-calculated rise and fall to the tracklist which demonstrates a good deal of thought. Most impressive of all is her voice, which ranges from breathy, sultry low notes right up to fluttering heights. 'Sleep' uses this tool to devastating effect. Starting atmospherically with fingerpicked guitar and her voice, it is soon backed by a hushed chorus of affecting 'ooh's which grows until the song's climax.

Alongside 'Sleep', central track 'The Fog' deserves a mention. It showcases a different side to Sermanni's songs and has an unshakable melody. The production here produces a wonderfully creepy atmosphere that you wouldn't find among many other female folk-singer-songwriters.

WATCH // Rachel Semanni - The Fog

If there were a weak point in the album, it would the lyrics. Sometimes she shows off nice ideas like "We'll swim, knowing rain can't touch us", but starting a song with "I had a chocolate bar" breaks the magic somewhat. That said, there aren't many such cases. Even sweet number 'Waltz' manages to charm. Outside of the redundant 'Marshmallow Unicorn', most of the saccharine pitfalls of folk are avoided thanks to some dark, nebulous subject matter including death at sea and mental illness.

WATCH // Rachel Semanni - Waltz

Producing original music in a saturated genre isn't easy, but Sermanni makes some intriguing proposals on her debut and promises much more for the future. Following up on the more complex ideas will mark her out among the others; there's more gold to be found in that fog.