Girl In A Thunderbolt - Own Your Bones
Following a brief hiatus, this is a triumphant return from Norwich's own Girl In A Thunderbolt.
I first heard solo artist Maria Uzor aka Girl In A Thunderbolt doing a support slot at the Arts Centre at the tail-end of 2013, and enjoyed a set that drew on the best of Nick Cave meets PJ Harvey, but this four song EP takes things up several levels.
Throughout, there is a pop sensibility, albeit one that is beguilingly twisted and slightly disturbing. Opener Sayonara My Lover is built on a rattling percussion that is both tribal and martial, developing into hypnotic psychedelic desert blues, hinting at Tinarwen, Os Mutantes and Goat.Turn It Back combines 80s new wave synth, post-punk guitar and a soundtrack sensibility to haunting effect. With its multi-tracked vocals, the slow and dark All That Glitters has a feel that is almost Balkan, Gypsy or chanson. Closer Silver Phoenix returns to new wave and post-punk but with a big hit of early new romantic.
All in all, a highly recommended release from one of Norwich’s more interesting artists.
10/10
