Lonesome Highway review of ENDLESS HORIZON

This is a very impressive debut album from a singer-songwriter who hails from a small Essex village in England. The twelve songs give the impression that this musician has wisdom beyond her years with her finely honed insights and perspectives, whether gained from personal experience or from observation. There are six co-writes included, with the remaining six songs self-penned. An interesting mix that points towards her song craft developing in the best possible way, by combining personal sentiment with the discipline brought from other writers who can offer experience, nuance, and different shades to these collaborations. There is a temptation to put her into a pop country package because of her young age but that would just be lazy assumption. What you get is a considered songwriter who tips more than a passing hat to the older traditions of country music while placing her own unique stamp upon these song arrangements and melodies.

There is a happy optimism on Cut and Run where the urge is to just get away from the daily routine with a new partner ‘What about it baby if we just ran away, Leave the questions and the answers for another day.’ Independence is the again the theme on Fearless with the bravery of youth reflected in taking risks ‘If there’s chances, I’m takin’ em, If there’s rules, well I’m breakin’ em, They say no, I say yes, I have always been fearless.’ The message on (I’ll Be Your) Best Broken Heart is that the lady is not looking for commitment, just a good time without any ties ‘I’m here for a season, I’m known for loving and leaving, I’ve got a gypsy soul, That’s something that you need to know.’ Summer fling anyone?

There are songs that echo relationship break-ups such as Overton, Broken Pieces, and Silly Little Things. Unrequited love is the topic on other songs such as California and Love Me Then, whereas the impact of addiction in a relationship is something that runs through the lyric on Forget the Water ‘Every time you hit me with that sideways smile, I would take you in like some lost wayward child, Now all I see is a grown man acting foolish, And the fool that used to love you in denial.’ Molasses is yet another song that references being under pressure in a toxic relationship ‘So go and stay gone, Don’t haunt me anymore.’

The joy of growing up in rural England is captured on the excellent Out Where the Love Grows and acknowledgement of the quiet country town memories of her youth ‘When you need reminding of who you are, This place brings you back like a guiding star.’ Boots In the Rain is a song about the joy that music can bring and the need to travel in pursuit of a dream ‘Got a song in my soul, A heart that don’t want to be tamed, And some boots in the rain.’  There are four bonus tracks on the CD version and the two covers are well delivered in Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) and Sweet Child Of Mine (Guns and Roses).  Whiskey In the Morning is another song about the price paid for addiction and the cost involved for others, ‘He’s used to everything spinning, don’t want to know what he’s missing, most days he’s just happy it all goes away.’ An acoustic version of Love Me Then is further confirmation of the fine performances that Florence delivers across all of the songs included.

The sound production is crystal clear and full marks to producer Alan West and engineer Adam Sweet in their vision for the songs. The band is comprised of Florence

Sommerville (lead and harmony vocals, guitar), Damon Sawyer (drums), Nick Bayes (bass), Tom Wright and Adam Sweet (acoustic and electric guitars), Tom Berge (electric piano), and John Taylor (harmony vocals). Florence has an impressive vocal range, changing her tone in the delivery, with both power and subtlety used in appropriate measure in her performance. At the tender age of only twenty-one, she has certainly announced herself as a real talent to the various music media platforms. As debut albums go, this one is punching well above its weight and certainly worthy of your attention.

Paul McGee Lonesome Highway – September 10, 2025