The Rocking Magpie review of ENDLESS HORIZON

Southern Gal, British Country With an Eloquent Style That Possesses Many Well-Honed Attributes.

UK country act, Florence Sommerville’s album debut, Endless Horizon finds her displaying a maturity beyond her twenty young years.

She is never overshadowed here or found unable to rise above the varied and incredible good support from her band, and she couldn’t ask for finer support who are completely in synch with Sommerville’s lead, and intonations; courtesy of a string of fine players, lead guitar, dobro and rhythm section dancing the airwaves alongside her. Plus her assured vocals are matched by her accomplished songwriting.

Previously released as a single, California sways gently, like a willow tree in a soft summer breeze. Warmed by a busy combination of swirling lead electric guitar, harmony vocals and a strong rhythm Sommerville hits home with her image strewn lyrics, the power of her voice and lyrical content are first class.

Doused in swirling lead guitar, restless opening piece (I’ll Be Your) Best Broken Heart shows off a powerful, determined stance. With an acoustic opening, Fearless speaks of her youthful exploits, crashing daddy’s car being one; and this melody is filled with fiddle, lead guitar and so much honesty, Florence really engages with the listener. Overton though; has a warm, carefully assembled feel and her worth as a storyteller by this time, has already shown excellent value and maturity Broken Pieces rocks along nicely, with lots of ‘space’ too; her lead vocals aided by strong harmony vocals, and anchored by strong rhythmic undercurrents and some tasty lead electric guitar riffs.  

Out Where Love Grows changes things. A simple song in essence, as her telling lyrics take the listener through the area she grew up (a small village in Essex), as acoustic guitar, dobro and a pressing rhythm augment her pure, flowing tones. Arguably my album pick.

Silly Little Things is another fine effort. Excellent lead guitar aided by pedal steel plus harmony vocals fuelling the track like nitro in a Mini Cooper, making for a powerful break up song.

‘Woke up today,
I was feeling totally fine,
ready with a clean slate,
want to leave you behind,
all I wanted was a cup of coffee
and walk out the door’,
…
‘All I wanted was to close my eyes
and forget you’, she sings as she tries to break ties.
The dreamy, thought provoking, Forget The Water tells us,
‘My sober eyes can see,
it’s the only time you miss me,’

as she tells of an uneasy relationship. Reflective, it speaks of a young woman coming to her senses in a turbulent relationship.

Love Me Then has lead guitar and dobro ushering the track and Sommerville’s vocals along, making the singer skip in relaxed fashion as her voice intertwines with the playful melody. Like with many tracks, the arrangements are carefully assembled; top class all-round.

Some really chunky rhythm and roving guitars drive Boots In The Rain along. While I feel the drums are too prominent, the steel guitar is enough to keep everyone’s attention. 

Molasses comes and goes, nicely enough, while Cut and Run has a greater depth to it. Sommerville speaking of an old love, both are bigger productions than previous songs btw. Though not necessarily better for the fact although Cut And Run’s less cluttered opening burst for me has a greater appeal.

My copy has the album’s twelve original tracks enjoying four acoustic, ‘bare to the bones’ bonus cuts too. All are tender ballads awash in subtle textures and craft, Whiskey In The Morning, Landslide, Love Me Then lead into the lively and fascinating take on Guns n Roses’ ode, Sweet Child O’ Mine underlining Florence Sommerville’s special talents.

The UK country music scene is enjoying a flush of quality emerging acts at the moment, and with Florence Sommerville now on the horizon, it’s never looked better.

by Maurice Hope