The unparalleled Blenko impresses with captivating pop rock debut EP, Rebecca.

By Graeme Smith

Singer songwriter Rebecca Simmonds, aka Blenko, has featured a few times before on our blog, with shares of her singles Through Your Teeth, and Only A Matter of Time and its Pigeon Post Remix appearing on these pages. As well as making it onto our site, the former frontwoman of Anna’s Bones has been featured on BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6Music and Amazing Radio.

Her sound is influenced by the dry wit of Talking Heads as well as the poignant song-writing of Leonard Cohen, Suzanne Vega and Joan Armatrading, and those influences come to the fore in her debut EP, Rebecca.

Though named for herself, Rebecca casts a wider eye on the human condition, exploring themes such as grief, transitions, and the duality of light and dark.

The EP opens with the jangly humour of Unlucky Bag which sets the tone and sets Blenko’s sound out from the crowd. A hypnotic chorus proves to be an early highlight. Title track Rebecca follows, giving us soaring, vibrant pop rock. Rebecca’s vocals simply shine during a passionate chorus.

Elsewhere we get a groovy riff and philosophical lyrics in There There There, a dose of heavy rumination in the aforementioned Through Your Teeth, and gentle heartbreak in Moonlight. Only A Matter of Time closes the EP with a swinging anthem.

Alongside the likes of Wet Leg, Blenko is redefining the post-punk genre with a feminine touch. She certainly deserves as much attention as her contemporaries. Her debut EP is a bold statement and one of the best EPs I’ve heard in a long time – highly recommended.

Rebecca was produced and mixed by Michael Hemmings of Low Lying Sun (with the exception of Rebecca which was mixed by Dom Morley, and Unlucky Bag which was mixed by Matt Burrata). It was recorded in Michael’s garden studio in Elmstead Market. The EP is out now and you can give it a listen below.