Label: Fascination Street Records
By Ayrton Avery
Bristol singer/songwriter Pem has given us a deeply emotional collection in her latest EP ‘Cloud Work’. All written after the death of her father, these tracks are not only a tribute to his memory, but also a story about coping.
It starts with ‘Gulls’, a nostalgic reflection about birds on a seashore. She introduces us to her soft, misty voice and heartfelt delivery in the first few seconds of the track. We also become acquainted with her affinity for distant guitar riffs that haunt us throughout.
The previous single ‘Awe’ is the undisputed masterpiece of this collection. Sometimes all you need for a good song is a simple backing and honest lyrics, and this has just that. It starts out with soaring, raw vocals, and goes into a high-energy middle phrase with some beautiful harmonies. Then it ends out with some slow, trembling vocalizations that fade out.
There is a sharp turn with the song ‘Grips,’ also her latest single. This time there is a more hopeful mood, and Pem, for the first time, sings some actually catchy melodies.
‘Gut Health’ goes into a bit of a darker mode. The mood becomes a lot more mellow, perhaps enhanced by the use of the piano. Written as a metaphor for the aftermath of a sexual assault, this track communicates a feeling of vulnerability, while still being bold and heartfelt.
In ‘Martin Pêcheur,’ she continues using the piano, and also has some powerful lyrics, describing the exact moment of her father’s death.
On these five tracks, Pem fully shows us the wide range of her artistry. Her emotions range from melancholy to upbeat to despondent. Her vocals, during both the high and the low moments, draw us into the emotional and empathetic storytelling. And, despite its apparent brutality, ‘Cloud Work’ is music for healing.
Listen to ‘cloud work’ here: