philomenah - 'Lavender'
We last checked in with Edinburgh-based philomenah last September with the release of her debut single ‘Aphrodisiac’. Since then she’s released a steady stream of singles which formed the heartbreaking but affirming ‘White Dove’ EP. With little in the way of a pause for breath, philomenah’s next chapter began with the track ‘Closure’ which landed in April. Sampling Candi Staton’s ‘Young Hearts Run Free’, it signalled a new-found confidence, almost as though she was on the road to freeing herself from the shackles which were holding her back on ‘White Dove.’
The journey continues with latest single ‘Lavender’ and it further lifts philomenah towards the top branches of the Scottish R&B tree which has been growing and growing recently.
It tiptoes between a 90s R&B sound with its delicate piano lines at the business end and a more futuristic vibe with the space-sounding synth which is present throughout. Across her back catalogue what particularly stood out was philomenah’s vocal range and they’re front and centre once more here. Gliding almost effortlessly from high to low without any signs of turbulence, something the silent disco street mob in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile could really do everyone a favour and learn a lesson from ahead of The Fringe next month.
Perhaps her finest release to date, ‘Lavender’ is the perfect soundtrack to a summer night you want to last forever.
Words by Richard Cobb
