Gemma Hayes The Roads Don't Love You Review

Gemma Hayes' first album was an intriguing mixture of folky singer songwriter influences, and Radiohead styleguitar textures. For her second she's smoothed the rough edges off her sound. Her husky voice is centre stage, with plenty of rich double tracking and immaculate session playing.

Such a polished album should contain outstanding songs or it will justend up sounding bland. There are some great tracks here, the best being "Easy On The Eye";a sharply observed reverie of unrequited lust. "Two Step" and "Another For The Darkness" are also strong. But "Undercover" and "Horses" seem clichéd and stodgy while someofother songs glide by without making much of an impression.

I was hoping Gemma would become less conventional, not more mainstream. This album is like trying to drink a pint of double cream in one go. A step sideways, not forwards.