Album Review

Julie Hawk – Julie Hawk

• 21st Jan 2013

Word on the street is that Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Julie Hawk is making quite a name for herself down in London on the unsigned network. From the first few listens of her debut EP The Value of Gold it’s not difficult to see why.

Although she has a clear, unique sound, it’s quite nice to hear her influences coming though. This record brings to mind Dirty Projectors, The Cranberries, Bjork and Cocteau Twins, combining them in a unique and unbiased manner; probably why Radio 6’s Steve Lamacq is excited about Hawk. More than anything, The Value of Gold seems like a pre-cursor as to what we can expect from her in the future. That being said, the emotive EP is filled with potential, a grower.

The undoubted highlight of the record is Maps; as Hawk shows more promise with her vocal experimentation hopefully this unique talent will be something she focuses on more when she eventually produces an album.

With tones of St Vincent and a 6 minute, otherworldly track aptly named Pained mid-way through the 6-track EP, you get quite a clear picture of the message Julie Hawk’s trying to put across. The Value of Gold has all the ambience of Florence and the Machine mixed with the ethereal, vocal stylings of Beth Orton, although the title track could be seen as slightly repetitive in comparison with the rest of the EP.

Hawk has shown herself to be a promising up-and-comer, putting her own spin on classics such as This Charming Man, as well as showing the conviction to write her own material. So rather than be dismissive and say ‘she sounds like this’ or ‘she sounds like that’ see it more as ‘she’s got something’ – so watch this space, she just needs to nail it.

Venue: Julie Hawk
Support Band: Self Release