LittleFox, real name Alison Jenkins, is a Vancouver, Canada-based Americana and folk singer songwriter who has just hit my radar thanks to her five track meditation on obsession and despair. It’s called Ghost In This House.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by The Portrait Sessions

Ghost In This House was written during the pandemic years, with a backdrop of plague and uncertainty, but it’s not all doom and gloom. There are bright moments that contrast its moodiness but its overall feeling is one of concern for the direction we’re going in as a society and as denizens of Planet Earth.

The EP opens with Magpie Heart, an intimate, banjo-led piece of Americana that focusses on the little things. Alison’s vocals are instantly captivating, and utterly unique. I found myself hanging on every word of the poetic lyrics. It’s a strong start.

Death Bloom is low and moody, with macabre storytelling and rumbling bass. Home Is Where You Are is an instrumental that brings a sense of folksiness and nostalgia while Thirsty is a haunting meditation on the need for human connection. It’s a highlight.

Title track Ghost In This House closes the EP. Its opening guitar riff mixes sadness with hope and Alison’s vocals feels particularly powerful and pleading. It’s a profound moment on which to close the record and another highlight.

LittleFox’s sound is nothing short of stunningly beautiful. She takes folk traditions and brings them right up to date, and her poetic storytelling will have you utterly mesmerised. She’s currently on tour in Western Canada. Let’s hope she plans a trip here to York at some point in the future.

Ghost In This House is written by Alison Jenkins who also provides the vocals, banjo, bass, guitar and horns. It was produced by Alison and Jayne Trimble of World Peach Records. Mixing is by Jayne Trimble and Mastering by Andrew Downton. You can give the EP a listen below.