Orkney-born, Glasgow-based musician Alannah Moar’s ‘Ready Or Not’, released at the end of August, is another dreamy folk-pop tune to add to her impressive string of singles. It opens on a catchy guitar riff that draws you straight in – the pops and clicks of the percussion are still stuck in my head. There are layers and layers of sounds here, and the production is sublime. You won’t catch everything on your first listen. Lyrically, it embraces the pain and emotions of a break-up, tackling the subject head on, particularly in the bridge: ‘It isn’t fair, the life we didn’t lead’ and ‘let me hold you close’. It’s brutal in its honesty and vulnerability.
The post-bridge section smooths out for just a second, before erupting again with Alannah’s trademark ethereal vocals, which are accompanied by a second voice on this occasion as she’s joined by fellow folk-pop singer Brodie Barclay.
‘Ready Or Not’ is out now
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Photo credit: Kyle Burgess