Katie took some time out after the birth of her son in 2016, returning in 2018 with this three-track EP, a collaboration with pianist and composer Robin Dewhurst (father to Josh Dewhurst from band Blossoms), and cellist Sarah Dale. I sincerely hope that Suggs and Chris Foreman have been able to hear the lead cut, as I can guarantee they never imagined their songs “Baggy Trousers” could ever be performed like this. Like many my age I have always had a soft spot for Madness (but never inhaled, honest), but this has taken a raunchy ska pop classic and made it something sophisticated and almost beyond recognition. Incredible female vocals, piano and cello, with an arrangement which has not only slowed the song down somewhat but made it incredibly dramatic has turned it into something quite different indeed. I have no idea how many times I have played this song since I first heard it, but it is simply delicious and I never tire of it.
The other two songs are Little Sparrow originals, “Tender” and “Dry Your Eyes”. The amount of space within the arrangements is simply incredible, as everyone is allowed the space they need and the listener is able to get inside the music and lay back on a stave and be surrounded by the most glorious sounds. It is incredibly simple in many ways, just reverb and no other studio trickery (apart from Katie providing her own backing vocals), and this simplicity assist in providing beauty and joy. This is music for those who actually want to listen to music, not have it as background noise while doing something else. This is all encompassing, taking hold of the sense and refusing to let go. Play it on headphones and let the rest of the world just disappear. Just twelve minutes long, but it is twelve minutes of sheer bliss and magic.
Rating: 9/10
