The music business is a fickle world, still a long way to go for equality and fairness, so it’s no surprise why some artists decide to go it alone, at their own pace and under their own steam. Meet Rebecca Downes, a proud Midlander, now celebrating the release of her fifth album ‘The Space Between Us’ a super smoky Blues Rock concerto, respectful to the classic era and yet standing tall in a scene where women are still not given an even playing field. A regular on Great Music Stories radio with Guy Bellamy, she is a fighter, colliding with the world around us and giving off sparks that light up our environs. We kick off with a raw and unpolished Rebecca, a human voice, instantly connecting with the listener as we all aim to be as talented as she is. All songs have been written by the immensely gifted duo of Rebecca and her partner in crime Steve Birkett. We continue with what is a neatly arranged, well thought out collection of music, that gathers together to punch you in the gut without a moment’s hesitation.
We power along with ‘Hold On’ an anthem to see you through these uncertain times, the tracks that follow have that gritty and gutsy sound attributable to the Blues, it is a sound that is unique and unbound, and I would think difficult to master and execute. The cover art for me is a portrayal of chaos theory, more specifically the butterfly effect, the idea that small occurrences can have an impact on bigger issues later. The work on this album talks about relationships, it is a labyrinthine topic, the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens are all up for debate. The slow burn of ‘Terrorise’ creeps up behind you, waits for you outside the school gates, hell bent on invading your space. The title track hones in on an innate longing, a prayer thrown into the ether, hoping it will not fall on deaf ears. We are not only spectators here, but we are also contributors to the demise and break up of our lives. Full of textured layering, velvety harmonies, pootling along smoothly and gracefully, and then rocketing skywards with the surge of the six-string, proper foot stomping stuff; there is a lot to think about here. Our collective minds align and fragment in unison to a soundtrack that encompasses our struggles and in turn comforts our sore heads, and with a rollicking cover of ‘A Little Bit Of Love’ it’s time to kick off those shoes and dance around your room gleefully. With life ‘a crooked deal’ for most of us ‘Not On My Knees’ steers the direction, plots the chart for a more balanced and acceptable way of living.
Today, it’s a bit black over Bill’s mother, the air a little frowsty but with Rebecca Downes for company, you’ll be alright bab.
Rebecca Downes – The Space Between Us out now via Mad Hat Records