This morning I had the privilege of being one of the first to hear Lee Martin’s brand new EP Lost Girl.
For those of you who know my tastes in music, this is a little bit removed from my normal mixtape of rock, pop, and classics, and to do a review on something more folk influenced is quite a pleasure.
The first thing I did was have a quick listen to the EP back to front, and I have to admit, quite blown away at the level of songwriting. It’s not your typical garage band production, or a quick 3 chord hit, this EP sounds like it’s taken many nights, and many bottles of Merlot to craft to a very high level of song writing, which has been scrutinized, perfected, and set in stone for eternity.
If I were to try and describe Lee’s style to you, I would ask you to close your eyes and think about a starry clear and cool night, a bonfire, a few whiskey and red-wine’s (which is subsequently track 3), a guitar, some good mates, and a bit of a singalong. At the risk of comparing the two artists because they are quite different, yet have big similarities, if you’ve heard Miley Cyrus’s backyard sessions rendition of Jolene, you’ll be in ballpark. A little bit country, a little bit folk, a little bit blues. It would probably be fair to throw another name to the mix would be Carrie Underwood If you’ve heard any of her acoustic stuff.
Lee’s voice is beautiful and quite gentle, but very controlled and precise. She’s absolutely pitch perfect. Just a girl and her guitar. I don’t know who the band are, but full credit to them also – the bass lines and drum beats supporting her are perfectly matched to her song-writing in every form.
This EP is great! Some cruisy Sunday afternoon hot coffee in hand feelgood stuff, but also has some tunes that I think Lee has really had to dig down and write from the heart. Lost Girl is a tearjerker, and Whiskey and Red Wine is a slow dance to save for the end of the night when you are the only ones left on the dance floor at sunrise.
I’m not going to lump this EP into a specific genre, I really feel like anyone music related or otherwise can relate to this EP, and for that, I recommend you get amongst it and just add it to your favourite playlist whatever that may be. You won’t be disappointed.
Big up’s Lee, I really think you’ve put your heart and soul into Lost Girl, and you’ve had a fantastic result.
Lee Martin is a New Zealand based singer/songwriter who has been impacting the music scene with her thought-provoking lyrics and storytelling writing style. She is South African born and have recorded two original albums that received ample radio play and enjoyed great success with her fans from all the corners of the world. A childhood spent listening to greats such as Van Morrison, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Leonard Cohen etc. has greatly influenced her music. Lee started her training in classical guitar at the age of 9 and has been singing and performing professionally for the past 15 years.
Martin is an old soul with a versatile writing style which allows her to cross genres as she glides easily between folk, rock, blues and country, all the while maintaining her unique sound.
Lee's storytelling writing style is what intrigues her fans and keeps them captivated.