A singer-songwriter and guitarist from South London akin to Elliot Smith, Lex Vervain is new on our radar with his self-titled EP.

By Graeme Smith

The cantering tempo of EP opener Made In Heaven proves a stirring start. The track combines an offbeat folksiness with soft and soaring vocals that act as a soulful balm. It feels at once traditional and cutting edge in an intoxicating mix.

Favourite Song has a looping melody and a certain bite to its lyrics. A moroseness permeates its every note. Say It All is rich with atmosphere, and has a Radiohead-esque quality to it while Digital Sink hits hard with severe piano and ghostly electronica.

Swollen Sanctuary softens things with a reflective number before Fading (Live at SJQ) closes the EP in intimate style.

Vervain refers to the EP as rounding off “chapter one” of his project which hopefully means there will be a lot more to come from an artist we’re just discovering.

Lex Vervain proves to be a captivating EP from an artist who likes to play with genre while telling an emotional story. He and his co-producer Joseph Futak have created an impressive debut.

The EP out now and you can give it a listen below.