Gillian Rae Perry is one of my favourite discoveries I’ve made through running this blog. At the end of last year, her brilliant concept album Lost Children first caught my attention. She then followed it up with the beautifully eloquent A Reminder earlier this year. The track features on her new album Gilligil which I absolutely had to listen to. Here’s my track by track review.
By Graeme Smith
The album opens with A Day, a refreshingly experimental piece that resembles a compilation of found audio before hitting its stride through a simple piano melody and Gillian’s enchanting vocals. It speak of the mundane in a way that elevates it to something holy. What a start!
Through this album, Gillian attempts to express her depression, anxiety and her ultimate healing and she does so without holding back. Track two In My Head delves deep, unveiling her stream of consciousness against a deceptively bright percussive arrangement. It feels like a hazy dream. Happening Again follows it with a darker intensity. Doubt-filled lyrics swirl with ethereal, minimal instrumentals to great effect.
Need Me, a collaboration with Alia Johnson (who also featured on Lost Children), keeps things melancholic with low rumbling notes and mournful piano. The lyrics cut deep, and will feel all too relatable to anyone who’s struggled with confidence in a relationship. It builds to a soaring, cinematic climax that feels like a release.
Therapist, featuring Casey Deal, is a short vignette. At the mid-point in the album it feels like a turning point. It has a whimsical feel in the instrumentals, with strummed acoustic guitar and light percussion. Any Sort Of Way maintains the lightness, with a message of self-acceptance and heart-warming vocal harmonies.
Like This, with Nigel Deane, feels sombre and is rich with reflective storytelling. Dear Friend leads with a contemplative, looping melody, gentle vocals and a lyrical message that will tug at the heartstrings. The two tracks together beautifully articulate the highs and lows of mental illness.
The aforementioned A Reminder is the album’s penultimate track. Featuring Kimberley Dunning, it works perfectly as the collection’s climax with swelling vocals and ambient textures. Gillian’s story is then completed by One Day. There’s a powerful sense of vulnerability to it and demonstrates her strength in working through it all with her music.
I really liked Gillian’s music before listening to this album, now I absolutely love it. It takes courage to put so much of yourself into your songs, and it takes ingenuity to keep it fresh and relatable to listeners. Gillian does both with what seems like incredible ease in Gilligil. It’s a must-listen. You can check out the album below.
