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Naming your first album Unsung takes courage. According to London-based artist Holly Walker, the title represents her ability to express her feelings of sorrow. It also hints at her previous role as a background figure – a vocalist known among other singers and kept hidden as a valuable asset – whose powerful and precise voice remains a hidden gem waiting to be fully revealed.
Walker gained recognition by providing vocals on Maribou State’s 2015 album Portraits. A recording of her performance with them at Glastonbury in 2019 showcases her shock at the size of the audience. Despite her lack of experience in playing at large festivals, Walker has been working towards her solo career for a while. She has been playing piano since she was young, released her first EP in 2012, and was a member of the underground arts group OneTaste alongside artists such as Little Dragon, Portico Quartet, and Jamie Woon.
Over a decade later, Holly Walker, who was nominated for the Mercury Prize, worked as a co-producer on Unsung, which was self-released by Walker in November of last year. Maverick producer Dave Okumu was also a session musician on the album. Walker’s detailed storytelling and somber tone are balanced by the album’s minimal funk-pop sound, with hints of Enya’s ethereal vocals. And she doesn’t hold back in her lyrics. The first line of “Doubt” says, “You had your head smashed in,” with an innocent facade. It’s clear to see: Holly Walker won’t go unnoticed for too long.
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The release of Unsung is now available. Holly Walker will be performing at EartH in London N16 on March 14th.
Source: theguardian.com
