It’s really difficult not to fall in love with Rachel Sermanni. The songstress from Strathspey is everything that is right with music. It’s hard to fawn over an artist without being accused of being a ‘fangirl/boy’ but its also hard to care when the artist is making music like Rachel Sermanni. The singer/songwriter has been releasing music since 2010 and in 2013; she has released her best music yet with EP The Boatshed Sessions.
For 11 minutes, the listener is transported into what seems like a forgotten, grungy Disney soundtrack, and that is meant in the best possible way. The EP is simple, mostly driven by Sermanni and her guitar but there is the addition of a few other instruments that make this EP stand out from the crowd. The record begins with Black Hole, a beautiful song brought to life by Sermanni’s trademark gravelly voice, striking strums on her strings and brass section that wouldn’t sound out of place on The Aristocat’s soundtrack.
Other tracks Two Birds and Maybe Not continue this sound but it is Dear Granvil that is the real stand out. The song is almost an open letter to something that is missing in your life, be that a person or an object, and for anyone who has lost someone or something that means a lot it is hard not to relate to the feeling of loss and despair conveyed in the track.
The EP was recorded this summer in the Highlands and from listening, it easy to imagine that it would be best enjoyed in a log cabin, by the fire with a glass of the finest malt. This is a beautiful record from Sermanni and it’s leaves a massive impression, even after the first listen.
- Stuart Thompson
Rachel Sermanni - The Boatshed Sessions is out now via Middle Of Nowhere Recordings and available to download via iTunes
