Jeannie Arnott attributes the simplicity of her music to not “playing instruments very well”, but I’d argue that it’s this very minimalism which sets her apart – and the South African raised, UK-based singer songwriter just dropped her debut EP, Impala Lily in a gorgeous homage to home and humanness.
Bare-boned vocals lead from the front, flexing Arnott’s impressive range and even more impressive poeticism. Beneath her youthful exterior lies a whole lot of insights into what it means to, well, be – and she delivers them with searing poise.
Hefty balladry makes up most of the EP, while the instrumental focus shifts from piano to acoustic guitar and back again, track for track. Bookended by the rich, broad, cinematic scope of “Home” and “Quiet” – both of which churn things up with compelling rhythm and fiery lyricism – the project slips from nostalgic heartache (“One & Only”) to the beautiful mundane (“Tea Weather”), from being her own hero (“Leader”), to a percussive ode to someone spurned by society (“Burning Man”).
While hefty emotion weighs down the corners of the EP, blunted guitar and playful appreciation kick things up a notch come “Butter & Breezy” – but it’s outro “Quiet”, whose mysterious scope tumbles like a wave to the shoreline, and cements Arnott’s fascinating sound as one to watch. And I’ll be watching.
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Feature pic supplied by artist
