Neve Bowen is a London-based singer songwriter who has featured on this blog a few times before. We discovered her back in March this year thanks to her track Song for Anna. That was followed up with a share of Deep Blue Ocean a month later, and then finally Haunting Sound of Love in the summer. All three tracks feature on her debut EP, which is out now. It’s called Lifeline.
By Graeme Smith
Neve credits her music with saving her life, using it as an outlet in 2022 to survive a low period. This is from where the name of her debut EP comes, and we get highly-charged emotional tracks from the collection. She leaves nothing unexplored.
The EP opens with its title track. It’s a stripped-back and arresting start that slowly and subtly develops into an acoustic pop arrangement where Neve’s expressive vocals are at their most compelling. It’s a captivating start.
Deep Blue Ocean ups the instrumental energy without losing any of the emotional impact. A soaring pop rock chorus is a memorable highlight. Song for Anna sits at the heart of the EP, providing a moody and introspective gem where Neve’s lyrics are particularly confessional.
Haunting Sound of Love strips things right back once again and there is power in its minimalism. Neve’s soulful vocals have plenty of space to occupy as they deliver a bittersweet, pleading story. The EP is then rounded off by an acoustic version of Lifeline which renders its tale all the more heart-breaking.
Beauty can come from the most unexpected of places, and that’s what we get with Neve’s debut EP. I’m sorry for the tough time she had to go through, but the fact that they inspired such a beautifully-articulated collection of tracks is surely the silver lining. Neve is young but has an old head on her shoulders which I think will serve her well as she embarks on her promising music career.
Lifeline was recorded at Jake Goslin’s Sticky Studios with Matt Brettle as producer. You can give it a listen below.