8/10

There’s a certain kind of stillness that only a handful of artists know how to capture, offering something quietly alive with emotion, memory, and meaning. Glasgow’s Pippa Blundell has already shown a gift for weaving deeply human stories into her music, but on 'songs with james', she steps into an even more stripped-back, revealing space, delivering a collection that feels as fragile as it is assured.

Following the emotional depth of her earlier work, this latest release draws its aesthetic inward. Recorded in a single afternoon alongside collaborator James Mackay, the EP embraces a raw, unembellished approach of two guitars, one voice, and an atmosphere that feels almost suspended in time. There’s no sense of overproduction here, and no attempt to polish away imperfections. What remains is a direct line between the artist and listener.

Opening with 'braemar', the tone is set immediately. Cyclical guitar figures drift beneath her voice, which moves with a quiet confidence. There’s a subtle unease beneath its surface, as if the beauty of the landscape it evokes is paired with something more introspective, even unsettled. It’s a delicate balancing act that continues throughout the EP.

Elsewhere, 'diamond dolls' introduces a shift in energy, offering a more animated perspective while still rooted in observation. There’s a narrative sharpness into lives often overlooked, delivered with a clarity that avoids judgement in favour of understanding. It’s one of several moments where her storytelling feels particularly vivid.

Tracks like 'waning/waxing' and 'my aching' lean further into emotional exposure, exploring longing in its many forms. The minimal instrumentation only amplifies that vulnerability, giving the impression that these songs exist in their most immediate, unfiltered state. Meanwhile, 'for it all' introduces sonic textures that gently expand the EP’s palette without disrupting its core intimacy.

While the reinterpretation of 'ca’ the yowes' stands as one of the EP’s most striking pieces. Rather than treating it as a traditional homage, the artist reshapes it into something darker and more ambiguous. There’s an eerie undercurrent running through the arrangement, transforming what was once a pastoral love song into something almost ritualistic in its tone. It’s a bold reimagining that speaks to her willingness to challenge inherited narratives.

What ultimately defines 'songs with james' is its sense of presence. These are songs for closeness, those quiet moments where reflection takes precedence over distraction. In a musical landscape often driven by excess, Pippa Blundell offers a reminder that simplicity, when handled with care, can carry extraordinary weight.