Music / Reviews
Review: Gabrielle Aplin, Thekla
For an artist that first came to public attention via covers, Gabrielle Aplin has come into her own as a fully-fledged singer-songwriter, with the 22 year old from Bath playing a sold out show aboard Thekla following the release of her second album Light Up The Dark.
Sample Answer opens, despite explaining that he has left his guitar in London. Another one-man band, but with enough hair for at least a quartet, he uses looping pedals and vocal distortion to full effect on his grungy, Beck-like songs. The tech novelty wears thin slightly, but Sample Answer’s energy alone definitely makes him worth checking out. Annie Mac thinks so too.
Aplin is joined on stage by a full band of 7, including a violinist and back-up singer, a far-cry from her solo, girl-behind-a-guitar days. They may look a bit crowded on the boat’s small stage, but they complement Aplin’s inde-folk brilliantly and launch straight into her latest release’s title track.
is needed now More than ever
Aplin’s new material showcases her growth as a song-writer, with hints of Adele on the soulful Heavy Heart and Florence + The Machine-esque vocals on Sweet Nothing. It’s an altogether much more polished affair than previous offerings and while being exceptionally radio friendly, there’s notable depth in songs like the forlorn The House We Never Built and, as expected, her vocals are flawless.
In between songs, Aplin is jovial and sweet: she apologises for the heat, later thanks the air-con fairies, chokes on the smoke machine, says she loves her Mum and sings happy birthday to one of her bandmates. It’s the sort of honesty and innocence that was apparent on her first album English Rain and those songs are the best received. Please Don’t Say You Love Me and Salvation prompt full-boat sing-alongs and, for a song about homesickness, encore closer Home makes for an uplifting finish.
Aplin’s music is feel-good and unpretentious and, with no covers played tonight, she firmly proves herself as a song-writer and live musician to watch. For those who missed out or just want to sing along again, Aplin has announced a February date at the Bristol O2 Academy.
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