It only seems like seconds ago since the inimitable chanteuse Gena Rose Bruce released the magnificent album ‘Deep Is The Way’ at the beginning of the year (see our review here) – an early contender for one of the best releases of the year so far. Now, on the eve of an extensive UK tour, Bruce has announced the release of a new EP heralded by the unveiling of new single ‘Lighting Up’.
‘Lighting Up’ is a reflective, dreamy ballad coasting over piano droplets with Bruce’s vocals silky and velvet, dripping with melancholy and emotion. The delivery is naked and raw without embellishments: only Bruce’s vocals and a piano. Bruce says of the release:
For a long time I would just suppress how I was feeling and would give off the fake ‘I don’t care about anything’ vibe. But I came to a point where I was just numb. You stop the pain, you stop the joy. Lighting up is about facing reality and being honest with your feelings and choosing to walk in the light and let love in.
The vulnerability seeps through the delivery, buoyed by a certain inherent resilience and fortitude.
The accompanying video – capturing a live performance – is a simple piece, Bruce a mesmerising and ethereal figure – utterly compelling and immersive. Bruce says of the video:
I think there is something special about actually being able to see what happens in the studio when a live recording takes place, there is so much that goes into creating a good sound, it’s all about the performance and the energy in the room, and the connection with each musician, and I really feel we captured that with Lighting Up, it was shot at the Iconic Sound Park Studios in Melbourne where I also recorded my album Deep is The Way, so filming a live session there also held sentimental value.
‘Lighting Up’ is out now through through Remote Control Records and Dot Dash Recordings and can be downloaded and streamed here.
Bruce has also foreshadowed the release of an EP – details to come – and is about to embark on an ambitious UK tour – details as follows and tickets available here:
2/5/23 – The Hug & Pint, Glasgow, UK
3/5/23 – Brudenell, Leeds, UK
4/5/23 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, UK
7/5/23 – YES Basement, Manchester, UK
10/5/23 – Servant Jazz Quarters, London, UK
11/5/23 – The Great Escape @ Komedia (Studio Stage), Brighton, UK – 2.50pm
12/5/23 – The Great Escape @ Fabrica (Official showcase), Brighton, UK – 9.15pm
13/5/23 – The Great Escape @ The Beach (The MVT stage), Brighton, UK – 2.55pm
14/5/23 – The Aussie BBQ London, UK – 3.30pm
13/7/23 – Rough Trade West Instore, UK – 6pm
31/8/23 – 3/9/23 – End Of The Road Festival, UK
This comes as an Australian tour comes to a close (you can still catch her at two last dates in Victoria – see poster below).
Feature Photograph: Maximum Person
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