Gemma Hayes - The Hollow Of Morning

Six years, two albums, the highs of critical accolades and the lows of doubt and exhaustion have all led Gemma Hayes to this her third album ‘The Hollow Of Morning’ and with another roll of the dice, the ingenue of old days has grown and morphed into an experienced songwriter; and also a woman who has surveyed her career to date and decided to go her own way.  Independent in every sense.
Co-produced by long time cohort and collaborator David Odlum, who worked with Gemma on her Mercury nominated debut, ‘Night On My Side’, ‘The Hollow of Morning’ is a ten track filigree of melody and subtle harmonic rhythms.  Recorded in Los Angeles, the album is the perfect hybrid of Odlum and Hayes with the sunlit sparkle of California.
Songs such as opening track ‘This Is What You Do’ is a haunting and gentle acoustic dawn. The first single from the album ‘Out Of Our Hands’ is the next song up - Hayes deftly combines the subtle fragility of her voice with guitar driven melodies.  The sparse winter sentiments of ‘January 14th’ are song three, a dark, heartbreaking letter to a lost love.  As the album progresses the songs take on more layers and urgency, whilst still retaining a diaphanous quality. The fourth entry ‘Home’, is a towering  example of strength and subtlety combined. ‘In Over My Head’ is a soaring, shady declaration of abandonment.  ‘Chasing Dragons’ is simply elegant with it’s gentle strummed guitar and echoes of Gram Parsons, Emmy Lou Harris and perhaps even Nick Drake. Followed by ‘Don’t Forget’ in direct contrast to it’s predecessor, far more direct with a  defined chords and Gemma’s unmistakable crystalline vocals. ‘Sad Ol’ Song’ is track number eight, another fine example of Hayes’ ability to economically paint a poignant image with deft strokes. ‘At Constant Speed’ has darker shades woven into it’s pattern and brings us to the final track of the album ‘Under A Canopy Looking At The Rain’, the purely instrumental closing number and though without lyrics it encapsulates the spirit of this record.  
‘The Hollow Of Morning’ is a sparkling album awash with melody and poignant turn of phrase. An independent flare, shot into the night sky that is at once searching and illuminating the way.

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