Sophie Madeleine - LOVE. LIFE. UKULELE.
Note: It has since come to our attention that LOVE. LIFE. UKULELE is Sophie Madeleine's debut album from 2009. We will be reviewing her newest effort The Rhythm You Started soon.
Sophie Madeleine is sure to be a name you'll be hearing more of over the next couple of years, if there's any justice left in the music industry.
Her latest effort - LOVE. LIFE. UKULELE. - has been released this week and is a beautiful, charming example of the folk revival we're seeing emerge in the UK.
Headed by acts like Noah & The Whale, Laura Marling and Frank Turner, Sophie Madeleine is not simply riding the coattails of a genre finding more mainstream appeal lately.
Indeed, on her Facebook page she describes her sound as "Eclectic Pop", avoiding any chances of criticism that many contemporary, folk-influenced acts get given.
As for LOVE. LIFE. UKULELE. itself, whilst the instrument mentioned in the title features heavily, acoustic guitars are brought in to add depth to an album that benefits from its wonderful simplicity.
In fairness, the ukulele solo on 'The Knitting Song' isn't exactly simple.
It's more the tone and mood of this record, seemingly made to lay back on a summers day listening to songs like 'When New Year Comes Around'.
It's worth noting that whilst comparisons to Laura Marling aren't entirely unfounded, Sophie Madeleine has a catchier, less dark, sound to her music that gives it a certain charm.
LOVE. LIFE. UKULELE has enough originality, in spite of its slight familiarity, to feel like a fresh, beautiful sound, and to make Sophie Madeleine one to watch.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge