“Scottish-born, Yorkshire-bred Shona Foster left the desolate beauty of the moors and travelled south to Brighton, and set about bringing to life the songs that would characterise her unique musical direction. Shona’s work defies easy categorisation…”

Listening to this E.P. is a fascinating experience as it reminds me of some of my favourite female singer/songwriters;  Sophie B Hawkins, Ani DiFranco, Carina Round, Regina Spektor, Beth Gibbon, Fiona Apple; all rolled into one extraordianry and compelling artist. And it’s the first time I’ve been tempted to check out mySpace videos, which only served to increase my fascination… You really need to check these out.

(www.myspace.com/shonafoster)

Foster’s debut E.P leaves me wanting to hear much more. The title track, ‘Hard Work’, opens lightly with floating keyboard notes before Foster’s voice enters. And what a voice! It’s expressive, distinctive and a real ear-opener. This quirky song has it darker moments and is underpinned by  an absolute monster of a melody. ‘Dirty Rivers’ ditches the quirky keyboard notes in exchange for a darker, moodier vibe, and a song that reminds me so much of the troubled and brilliant singer/songwriter Fiona Apple. But all is not what it seems… the song suddenly lightens up; it’s extraordinary in its ability to convey dark and light so seamlessly, so naturally.

‘Dance Of The Meanies’ has a cartoonish ambience (helped by her excellent band)… I can imagine this song accompanying some nightmarish animation movie… ‘Collision’ is a slow-moving, beautiful narrative and exhibits Foster’s wide vocal range as she expressively and compellingly pulls you in to my favourite song on the E.P. Superb!

I can sum this up very easily and quickly: Shona Foster is the best new UK talent I have heard for several years. I would like to her to forget this EP and produce a full album, nothing less will do. There’s a maturity and authority here that cries out to be heard, that so captures the vibe and message behind each of her songs - it’s theatrical and stunningly entertaining.

4.5/5