Rebecca Downes – A Storm Is Coming
A Storm Is Coming, the sixth studio album from Birmingham based powerhouse vocalist & songwriter Rebecca Downes, continues the musical evolution and growth as heard on 2019’s genre bending More Sinner Than Saint and 2022's even wider scoped The Space Between Us.
A Storm Is Coming can also be seen and heard as another collaborative undertaking, given the not insignificant part – make that parts – played by Downes’ songwriting partner, guitarist, producer and right-hand music man Steve Birkett.
Other than one song Birkett also plays all the instruments, except drums (bandmate Neil Ablard).
Additionally, while the Sinner and Space albums shook off the shackles of the uncomfortable and not entirely accurate blues rock tag, A Storm Is Coming leaves those shackles in the corner to rust.
That’s a brave decision, given the more formulaic variety of blues rock is, sadly, more likely to get airplay or gain headway these days, but it underlines the fiercely independent (in every sense) nature of Rebecca Downes who, along with Steve Birkett (and other artists such as Chantel McGregor), remain steadfast in pursuit of their own, contemporary clothed, musical muse.
The album is also perfectly titled, looking, as it does, to the bigger global picture of what is happening in the world today as well as inwards to relationships and inner turmoil (Rebecca Downes has been very open about recent personal struggles and familial loss).
That bigger picture overview is delivered by the title track, which opens with an approaching thunderstorm before giving way to the song’s Spaghetti Western meets Dark Nashville vibe.
Understated but purposeful, and backed by Steve Birkett’s guitar textures, 'A Storm Is Coming' is the perfect, brooding, mid-tempo scene setter ("How much more can we take? Oh, a storm is coming, I think you’d better start running" sings Downes in an impacting set of ever rising vocal lifts).
'Falling Into You' is rock and bluesy roll, Rebecca Downes style.
A weighty treatise on the dangers of ignoring the "red flags" of falling for someone you shouldn’t (but perhaps need to) the number is bolstered by an effective hook chorus and follow-on "wooh-oohs," nice Hammond backing and a vocalised, dream-sensual middle 8.
The chant-rhythm and lyrical call to arms of 'Hold The Reins' makes for a purposeful and atmospheric rock number, one that comes complete with a bluesy underside and a tempo changing twist.
Steve Birkett delivers a tasty, defiantly driven solo (playing for the song is a strength of Birkett’s) while Rebecca Downes' equally defiant vocal is absolutely on vocal and lyrical, storm coming, point ("Take a hold of the reins, got to head out face the storm; take a hold of the reins, been the victim way too long").
A Storm Is Coming can also be seen and heard as another collaborative undertaking, given the not insignificant part – make that parts – played by Downes’ songwriting partner, guitarist, producer and right-hand music man Steve Birkett.
Other than one song Birkett also plays all the instruments, except drums (bandmate Neil Ablard).
Additionally, while the Sinner and Space albums shook off the shackles of the uncomfortable and not entirely accurate blues rock tag, A Storm Is Coming leaves those shackles in the corner to rust.
That’s a brave decision, given the more formulaic variety of blues rock is, sadly, more likely to get airplay or gain headway these days, but it underlines the fiercely independent (in every sense) nature of Rebecca Downes who, along with Steve Birkett (and other artists such as Chantel McGregor), remain steadfast in pursuit of their own, contemporary clothed, musical muse.
The album is also perfectly titled, looking, as it does, to the bigger global picture of what is happening in the world today as well as inwards to relationships and inner turmoil (Rebecca Downes has been very open about recent personal struggles and familial loss).
That bigger picture overview is delivered by the title track, which opens with an approaching thunderstorm before giving way to the song’s Spaghetti Western meets Dark Nashville vibe.
Understated but purposeful, and backed by Steve Birkett’s guitar textures, 'A Storm Is Coming' is the perfect, brooding, mid-tempo scene setter ("How much more can we take? Oh, a storm is coming, I think you’d better start running" sings Downes in an impacting set of ever rising vocal lifts).
'Falling Into You' is rock and bluesy roll, Rebecca Downes style.
A weighty treatise on the dangers of ignoring the "red flags" of falling for someone you shouldn’t (but perhaps need to) the number is bolstered by an effective hook chorus and follow-on "wooh-oohs," nice Hammond backing and a vocalised, dream-sensual middle 8.
The chant-rhythm and lyrical call to arms of 'Hold The Reins' makes for a purposeful and atmospheric rock number, one that comes complete with a bluesy underside and a tempo changing twist.
Steve Birkett delivers a tasty, defiantly driven solo (playing for the song is a strength of Birkett’s) while Rebecca Downes' equally defiant vocal is absolutely on vocal and lyrical, storm coming, point ("Take a hold of the reins, got to head out face the storm; take a hold of the reins, been the victim way too long").
Adding further atmosphere to musical proceedings is brooding mid-tempo number, 'These Days.'
Some cleverly arranged backing vocals, including parts that carry chain-gang world weariness, add to the power of the number, as does Rebecca Downes’ slow build, enough is enough vocality ("Caring what they thought has left me strung out, and now I will not be bought, these days).
While there’s an argument the cry of "these days!" is overused (the song is powerful enough without the title reinforcement) the varied vocal deliveries (from vocal-belt highs to soles of the shoes depths) are almost worth the admission fee on their own.
The slow burn build of the highly contemporary 'Tear Me Up' (think Adele in a more rock orientated setting) is a true highlight.
Featuring one of Rebecca Downes’ best vocal performances, the song and lyric allows the singer to be as defiant (a recurring trait of the album) as she is dynamic, rebuilding herself vocally from a point where there was nothing left ("Tear me up into little pieces, I don’t mind; wake me up when all this ceases, in time, we’ll be fine").
The blues comes calling on the relatively short, woozy and anticipatory 'Waiting For The Morning,' where Rebecca Downes’ vocal and Steve Birkett’s six-string remarks play in perfect harmony.
Contrast is then provided by the heavier, driving groove of post-breakup song, 'Never Gonna Take You Back,' which manages to mix the Phil Spector sound (in a contemporary setting) with hard melodic rock (a neat trick in itself). Another highlight.
The melancholic 'Bitter Taste,' which lyrically considers the struggles of self-belief when all seems lost ("locked away and hidden out of sight, but you can’t take away my pride") is another Adele would love to get her tonsils round.
A chorus part sung in harmony with Steve Birkett and a short, dreamier passage add to the textural nature of the number. The deeper cut nugget of the album.
'Let You Down Slow' firmly plants its flag in the blues rock ground, but here with a heavy and healthy dose of melodic swagger and rhythmic groove. The hook chorus of this break up number is simple, but highly effective.
The album closes out on seven-minute, relationship ending number 'Hit The Ground Running,' featuring bandmates Nigel Darvil (Hammond) and James Peterson (bass).
A piano backed, blues hued ballad, the song slowly builds through the gospel sway of choral styled harmony backings, a perfectly weighted solo from Steve Birkett and an inspired A Capella outro.
With great production values and an excellent mix from Steve Birkett Junior and Gavin Monaghan, A Storm Is Coming stands strong as another exemplary musical statement from Rebecca Downes; an artist who continues to challenge herself and refuses to be put in a genre specific box.
More song for song’s sake power to her.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
A Storm Is Coming will be released on 31st October in the following formats:
6-panel Digi-pack CD, 180g Transparent/ Red Splatter Vinyl, all streaming platforms.
Pre-order (including T-shirt & Lyric book options) here:
https://www.rebeccadownes.com/a-storm-is-coming-new-album-pre-order
Some cleverly arranged backing vocals, including parts that carry chain-gang world weariness, add to the power of the number, as does Rebecca Downes’ slow build, enough is enough vocality ("Caring what they thought has left me strung out, and now I will not be bought, these days).
While there’s an argument the cry of "these days!" is overused (the song is powerful enough without the title reinforcement) the varied vocal deliveries (from vocal-belt highs to soles of the shoes depths) are almost worth the admission fee on their own.
The slow burn build of the highly contemporary 'Tear Me Up' (think Adele in a more rock orientated setting) is a true highlight.
Featuring one of Rebecca Downes’ best vocal performances, the song and lyric allows the singer to be as defiant (a recurring trait of the album) as she is dynamic, rebuilding herself vocally from a point where there was nothing left ("Tear me up into little pieces, I don’t mind; wake me up when all this ceases, in time, we’ll be fine").
The blues comes calling on the relatively short, woozy and anticipatory 'Waiting For The Morning,' where Rebecca Downes’ vocal and Steve Birkett’s six-string remarks play in perfect harmony.
Contrast is then provided by the heavier, driving groove of post-breakup song, 'Never Gonna Take You Back,' which manages to mix the Phil Spector sound (in a contemporary setting) with hard melodic rock (a neat trick in itself). Another highlight.
The melancholic 'Bitter Taste,' which lyrically considers the struggles of self-belief when all seems lost ("locked away and hidden out of sight, but you can’t take away my pride") is another Adele would love to get her tonsils round.
A chorus part sung in harmony with Steve Birkett and a short, dreamier passage add to the textural nature of the number. The deeper cut nugget of the album.
'Let You Down Slow' firmly plants its flag in the blues rock ground, but here with a heavy and healthy dose of melodic swagger and rhythmic groove. The hook chorus of this break up number is simple, but highly effective.
The album closes out on seven-minute, relationship ending number 'Hit The Ground Running,' featuring bandmates Nigel Darvil (Hammond) and James Peterson (bass).
A piano backed, blues hued ballad, the song slowly builds through the gospel sway of choral styled harmony backings, a perfectly weighted solo from Steve Birkett and an inspired A Capella outro.
With great production values and an excellent mix from Steve Birkett Junior and Gavin Monaghan, A Storm Is Coming stands strong as another exemplary musical statement from Rebecca Downes; an artist who continues to challenge herself and refuses to be put in a genre specific box.
More song for song’s sake power to her.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
A Storm Is Coming will be released on 31st October in the following formats:
6-panel Digi-pack CD, 180g Transparent/ Red Splatter Vinyl, all streaming platforms.
Pre-order (including T-shirt & Lyric book options) here:
https://www.rebeccadownes.com/a-storm-is-coming-new-album-pre-order