London-based Victoria Hume earns a crust as an arts manager in the NHS during the day but in her spare time has taken to writing music. In her case it’s a mixture of folk, jazz and a little bit of pop and ‘Landing’ is her second solo album, following on from 2009’s ‘Limbs & Digits’.
Hume has a breathy voice which is part Annie Lennox (but without the melodrama) and part Beth Orton (but with a little more melody). ‘Sorry’ is certainly a challenging opener. It has a staccato tempo and lacks a traditional chorus but it’s a song which swells at important moments. This unorthodox approach is key to charm of ‘Landing’. ‘Mirror’ is a jazz piano track which meanders even further and several other songs follow the same (non) pattern. This can lead to a lack of cohesion but there are some exciting moments here too. ‘Exiles’ impresses the most; its urgency is apparent as soon as the rumbling piano melody kicks in whilst Hume glides over the instruments with her insouciant tones sounding both emotional and detached at the same time.
Form this evidence, Hume seems like a wayward talent. Yet her appealing voice and distinctive, off-kilter arrangements could mean that she will be an artist to treasure in years to come.
Web Sites:
Victoria Hume Official Site
Victoria Hume Bandcamp
Further Listening:
Nicola Harrison, Beth Orton
Leonard's Lair Music Reviews 
0 Responses to “Review: Victoria Hume – Landing”