‘…Moments of fierce driving rock are contrasted by some genuinely tender vocal moments, as Summer captures the complexities of a strained father-daughter relationship…’
Glasgow-born and Merseyside-based singer-songwriter Iona Summer has returned with her sophomore single. Her debut, ‘Nobody’s Bitch’, presented her as a folk-rock star with a fierce personality and the powerful vocals to match. This continues, although with a great degree of introspection, on her brand new release, ‘Mirror Image’.
Jagged, playful acoustic strumming is draped across simple, buoyant rhythms, as Summer toys with musical ideas that feel both indie-pop and folk-rock. This simplistic yet wonderfully performed instrumental backing both permits the emotional vulnerability of Summer’s performance to flourish, whilst enabling moments such as the brief pause in the second verse to truly land with impact. A rock’n’roll-tinged guitar solo in the back half of the track truly makes the whole affair sound warm and intimate, as if Summer is performing this ballad to you personally.
Summer’s vocals are performed with a playful rock edge, wrapped up with a gorgeous Glaswegian lilt that lends itself perfectly to giving it a folkish punch. Moments of fierce driving rock are contrasted by some genuinely tender vocal moments, as Summer captures the complexities of a strained father-daughter relationship; both love and understanding alongside frustration and resentment are translated beautifully by her rousing vocal delivery.
It’s a superbly performed single all-round, with Summer weaving a tale that no doubt many will find some catharsis in; realising the flaws of one’s parents is an uncomfortable part of growing up, and disentangling the anger and love can be a tough process. Truly, ‘Mirror Imagine’ is an impressive second single in every regard.
For Fans Of: KT Tunstall, Kate Nash, Phoebe Bridgers, Sixpence None The Richer, Beabadoobee
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