Irish singer/songwriter Maria Kelly made herself known to us with the remarkable debut ‘Before It Has Begun’ – a tender goodbye to a fleeting relationship. But it is upon receipt of follow-up single ‘Black & Blue’ that marks Kelly as a contender to break-out into wider pastures.
Whilst the opening bars of the new cut promise a softer acoustic ambience to build, this notion is quickly disrupted as ‘Black & Blue’ brings forth a more realised and fuller sound from the singer than her debut achieved.
The track flourishes with colour as a bold instrumental drives Kelly’s soft and feathery vocals to rise up and latch onto the feelings she’s singing about. Kelly is a songwriter, first and foremost, and there will always be a need for stories but what makes Kelly especially unique and most importantly powerful, is her candour in melancholy and her playfulness in innocence. Keep an eye on this one.
‘Black & Blue’ will be released on 1st July, via Veta Records.
Catch Maria Kelly live at the following dates:
May 26th – Crow Bar, Dublin
June 8th – Old Blue Last, London
June 10th – Avenue, Dublin
June 11th – Kasbah Club, Limerick
June 15th – Roisin Dubh, Galway
June 16th – Cyprus Avenue, Cork
June 17th – Carlow Arts Festival
