"Don't You Close Your Eyes" by Kirsty Clarke
Review
Today I can report to you on the new single by Kirsty Clarke, called "Don't You Close Your Eyes" (hopefully you'll have read my review of her "Greatest of Partners" from January and enjoyed "Suicide Mission" on ‘Hot Music Live Presents Volume Three" too).
As with those previously mentioned songs, this new one packs quite an emotional punch but interestingly without feeling it is be necessary to turn the volume too high: this is passion held on a tighter leash & this itself contributes to its power.
The arrangement is her characteristic post punk edgy sound, but endowed with echo & given space for that to work its magic in. Her vocals match the backing: restrained, even anxious at times, breathy & intense to start with & although she lets go a little, thankfully there are no vocal gymnastics to spoil the sense of truthfulness.
This is an object lesson in taste & proving that "less is more" if you have the confidence to go down that route & the integrity to write from the heart & not require bogus emotion to be added in the studio. "Indie Mama" at her best: this artist doesn't write bad songs.
