This is singer-songwriter material of a time honoured tradition, stripped-back and raw. The real-life tales of 'suffering for her art' (drugs, depression, throat conditions) are indicative of the music she creates- emotionally powerful, and genuinely so. There is no intricate instrumentation and there are no clever production tricks, and LITTLE FISH aka Julia Sophia would evidently have it no other way. With this no-frills approach the songs stand or fall on their own.
The standout tracks are the first and the last with title track and opener 'Revolution' being the real attention-grabber. There are obvious qualities such as the not-too melodic melody and the anthemic lyrics, but the real strength is almost in-definable. There is just something about the way the vocal is delivered, and the guitar is strummed that just feels so essential, and as Sophia sings "I know, I hold a revolution in my hands" you genuinely do believe her.
"Clock Face" is a little more intense, a little more angry with vocals to match. The drums and guitar thrash away, it's a virtually rock track without the distortion- think Skunk-Anansie meets PJ Harvey with an acoustic guitar. Meanwhile "Ashes" takes a downbeat turn, with it's early-Radiohead guitars and it's melancholy vocal, though it feels a little undisciplined and repetitious compared to the other tracks it is perhaps allowable as a bit of artistic self-indulgence.
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Final track "Thirst" is simply Julia Sophia, her guitar and her 'lonely heart'. There are definite Bob Dylan leanings and it's yearning vocal and rhythmic guitar sit perfectly together, it is so simple and yet like 'Revolution' it feels like essential listening. This self-taught singer-songwriter has an obvious talent, one that, like all the best songwriters, is likely to grow and mature- but for now, this EP is a good place to start.
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