English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis has a soft spot for carefully orchestrated arrangments. On her new single Dream River she goes on trip on a glorious Summer day through an imagined landscape, where time runs at a different speed. It is a concept that is both compelling and a bit scary as the river is on the brink to overspilling, taking her away to an unknown destination.
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis will be playing songs from her latest EP Devil is Doubt during a virtual gig on May 18: "Bouloudis is always sounding intense, a smoldering presence that is both alluring and a bit scary, especially for those on the receiving end of her wrath. She is not to be trifled with, with her lyrics acting as a scalpel, cutting away the lies and the bullshit."
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis captured the night on her Devil is Doubt EP. In the dark she had plenty of time to think about what was bothering her or made her angry - mostly matters of the heart. Bouloudis is always sounding intense, a smoldering presence that is both alluring and a bit scary, especially for those on the receiving end of her wrath. She is not to be trifled with, with her lyrics acting as a scalpel, cutting away the lies and the bullshit.
She is not the world's most prolific writer - there is a four year gap between her debut EP Dead Sea Scripts and this collection of songs, wherein every words counts. The lyrics can stand on their own as poetry. Take Vice Versa that opens with "When your cure becomes your poison // And that poison seems like the only cure // It's a time bomb that could blow any second // Or remain dormant // A benign tumour". Gothic and romantic imagery are her forte and she puts it to good use. Recommended if you like Patti Smith and PJ Harvey.
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis does some reverse engineering on her new single Coal, when she describes the end of a relationship that started out so great with both parties sporting eyes sparkling as diamonds. It did not last and it ended up being turned to coal and finally dust when the magic of the joint forces of two highly different personalities turned out to be an illusion after all. Her vocals soar in a blend of agony and anger, with Luke Waterfield contributing a stirring violin part. Recommended if you like Dusty Springfield in a foul mood.
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis finds her way back to the light on her new single Expand. She did some serious soul-searching, questioning the bad choices she made in the past, but now she is looking ahead again, coming out of her shell and telling the world she is here to stay. It's a slow song, with her vocals sharing the spotlights with Luke Waterfield's soothing violin.
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis is in full-on dystopian post-punk mode on her new single Outstander, a haunting track about a monster wave wiping out human civilisation the catastrophe. She somehow survives, dancing in the rain. Her vocal delivery comes that Siouxsie and PJ Harvey, making a compelling statement about a future that is not a mere sci-fi nightmare, but a distinct possibility with the climate crisis in mind.
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis released her rather good debut EP Dead Sea Scripts last year. Her imoressive range was put to good use once again when she recorded a live session for Margo's Living Room @ Hermitage Studios, London. Among the songs that were recorded was the brand new Devil is Doubt, a scary good tune that touches base with jazz and delta blues.
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HCTF review of Dead Sea Scripts.
English bluesy folk singer Natalie Bouloudis has a voice that be can't ignored: smokey, confident and topped off with don't-fuck-with-me phrasing. Her debut EP Dead Sea Scripts was recorded live at Wax Studios in London. It is a collection of songs sounding like she has been a recording artist for many years - well balanced, adventurous and intense. She is a singer with a spellbinding range. Imagine PJ Harvey after been exposed to the collected works of Sandy Denny, Ricky Lee Jones and the Cowboy Junkies.
Dead Sea Scripts makes disaster (Burning Pier) and violence (Raging Forcestress) sound appealing. And she found a fun way to tell love to get lost with Romantic Bullshit Blues. Bouloudis is the kind of artist who was always there somehow, making the listener wonder why he failed to take notice before. This hybrid of jazz, waltz rhythms, blues and folk taps you on the shoulder, flashing a mischievous grin. Resistance, as the saying goes, is futile.
