STRAY TALES (AS JO BETH YOUNG)

Released towards the end of last year, what we have here is a bringing together of previously released singles together with remixes from the archives and of songs which will appear on the new album. I have been a huge fan of Jo Beth since I first came across 'An Abandoned Orchid House' which was released by Talitha Rise, which she then followed up with the wonderful 'Strangers' as Rise before switching to using her own name. She has an amazing voice, reminiscent of Kate Bush and Enya, and in recent years has explored different musical possibilities, from folk through dance and dreamy ambient, but always with her vocals very much front and centre. There is a freshness in all she does, combined with a commerciality which makes it inviting and welcoming.

Her music always takes the listener to a different place, the reverb takes one into a dreamy ethereal realm where all that exists is the voice, and that is all that matters. It never sounds over-produced, and the arrangements are often quite simplistic, ensuring nothing takes away from the main focal point. There is a depth within this, belying the fragility which is also apparent, the result being something which needs to be listened to on headphones when there is no possibility of being interrupted as we drift away on a different plane. Although this is a collection of material as opposed to an album constructed at a singular point of time, it is a great way of catching up on what Jo Beth has been doing away from her albums and is also a nice introduction to her music. Well worth investigating.

--written in 2023