Mary Middlefield is a singer songwriter who has just come to my attention thanks to the release of her new EP, Poetry (for the scorned and lonely).

By Graeme Smith

As you might guess from its title, Mary’s latest record is for those who are struggling in the aftermath of a relationship, be it recent or in the distant past. It’s a subject to which Mary can wholeheartedly relate, and we hear a lot about her own relationship troubles across its eight tracks.

No subject is out of bounds as Mary explores stories of abuse and isolation. Each note and lyric strikes at the heart as things unfold through a musical mix of rock, acoustic folk and dream pop.

The EP opens with Sexless and Mary’s knack for storytelling is immediately apparent from a simmering opening chorus that speak of cheap love and mental anguish. An explosive chorus gives a sense of catharsis as she lets it all out before things end strongly with a big finish.

Atlantis strips things back with a vulnerable, image-laden number before the brief instrumental Alloydynia completes the EP’s early running with a moment of reflection.

As the EP progresses we move from the brooding pop of Heart’s Desire through to the urgent and cinematic grunge of Young and Dumb before finally arriving at the EP’s title track Poetry which closes it with a soft and emotional farewell. They’re punctuated beautifully by the devastating acoustic stories of Love me, Love me not? and Last Letter.

Mary’s new EP is, in a word, breath-taking. Her ability to bring feelings and situations to life through her poetic lyrics is second to none, and some pleasingly complex instrumental arrangements will have you coming back for more. I’m so pleased to have discovered her music. You can consider me a fan.

Poetry (for the scorned and lonely) is out now and you can give it a listen below.