Anthea Feaver explores love through trauma and recovery in her new album, Summer’s Morning.

By Graeme Smith

Based in Kingston, Anthea is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her music is new to our blog, but I think it’s going to be right at home on these pages.

Her new album Summer’s Morning combines traditional folk with her personal experience fuelled compositions to create an intriguing and welcoming record. Beautifully observed storytelling lyrics are delivered charismatically by Anthea’s vocals, at times paired with some charming harmonies, and backed by finger-picked guitar.

Bedtime Story opens things up, giving us all the above plus some atmospheric strings for good measure. January-December follows, stripping things back for its wintery tale. Though an indie folk vein runs through the album’s ten tracks, we get plenty of this contrast between lively, orchestrated moments and the more intimate.

Anthea’s poetic lyrics are what holds the attention as the album progresses. Through them, she grapples with themes of mental illness, environmentalism, existentialism, isolation and connection, but they never feel too abstract. Each is wrapped within relatable stories of her relationship with others and the world around her.

Most Days is a punchy early highlight while This Whole World (Bringing Me Down) is a raw, literary moment. Hard Times completes the album’s first half with jaunty, traditional number.

Title track Summer’s Morning is a warming waltz. Geordie is a folksy track rich with imagery. When I Was Older is soft and philosophical. Eleanor broods with a country edge. Anthea’s take on Come All Ye Fair and Tender Maidens closes the album with a lilting and familiar refrain.

Anthea Feaver is a rare talent. The poetry and honesty of her lyrics makes each track on her new album utterly compelling, and they are packaged up astutely with a pleasant folk wrapper.

Summer’s Morning is out now and you can give it a listen below.