Softly Soothing
Softly spoken songstress Polly Paulusma has a feisty side that can be gleaned ever from the vaguely erotic pictures of her posing with a guitar on the CD artwork. 'Woods' is a delight, marking the return of this stunning songwriter after 3 years away from the scene, with a new album soon on the way too. An earthy maze of chugging strings and sparkling, flighty vocals that lead you on a magical journey, this soft serenade is backed by an easygoing percussive rhythm. Essentially Polly weaves a lullaby about children in the woods, "The badgers tried to keep them warm, the foxes gave them milk", a beautiful dreamy number with the same shy quirks as Tori Amos or Alanis Morrisette. A wispy and half sleepy tale that will wrap you in its balmy tenderness, 'The Woods' is simply a lovely folk tune.
B-side 'Put Your Suitcase Down' is equally entrancing in its gentle acoustic guitarwork and sighing vocals, an ode to a weary traveller that's enough to revive even the most exhausted soul. Polly Paulusma is clearly a talented musician and songwriter with a dash of insight and poetry to her writing that will please any listener.