Single Review: Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo - Little Deaths (Digital Download)

As Emily Barker and The Red Clay Halo prepare for the release of their third album ALMANAC in the autumn, they tease us mercilessly with the single Little Deaths, an enchanting taster of what's hopefully to come. Once again showcasing Emily's rich lead vocal, together with no small help from her intuitive band of musicians, The Red Clay Halo, who between them bring out the best in this young Australian singer-songwriter, both in terms of arrangement and performance, this one song is enough to raise the goose bumps.  

Co-produced by Emily and Ted Barnes, Little Deaths is reminiscent of the sort of folk music we listened to in the late 1960s; a mixture of early Steve Tilston with a pinch of Pentangle but with a vibrancy and validity that is very much contemporary and 'today'. Starting with a slow guitar-led intro, the song opens spring flower-like into an engaging ballad of pure beauty, to be listened to over and over.  

Joining Emily on acoustic and electric guitar as well as leading on the vocals are Jo Silverston on cello and saw, Anna Jenkins on violin and Gill Sandell on accordion, flute, piano and pipe organ. Additional contributions come courtesy of Nat Butler on drums and Ali Friend on bass. We wait in eager anticipation for the autumn Almanac and tour.