Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

In opening up our souls to love we find ways in which to deal with the darkness that stalks our everyday existence, it might be one that makes us breathe a little harder, our pulse that dwells otherwise unhindered to spark with fire, fury and beauty, we might fall, we could rise, whatever happens we must heed that which speaks to us inside and perhaps find a way to stride like a giant through castle halls and say that no matter what is thrown at us we can deal, we can be assured of hope with The Skin I Live In.

Mersey Wylie is not reticent when it comes to talking about certain subjects, her avenues of communication are open, they may be delivered with discreetness, but they are honest, brave, fearless, and they are reflected in her music with honour, in her thoughts and actions with a sense of noble, valiant courage. There is no stopping such a voice when it is encouraged, when it is forthright and in The Skin I Live In, such a voice cannot be contained, dare not be challenged.

We all hope for love, sometimes we may be unprepared for the initial burst of life that we then miss the experience of our senses being heightened to the sound of another person’s soul connecting with our own, but to dare is accept, to dare is understand that not everything in life can be changed but that we must strive to embrace the skin, to hold on and be spectacular.

Across the four songs on the E.P., Can’t Let Go, Giving Myself Away, Only You and Stronger, Mersey Wylie and her band deliver a tour-de force of expression, of female strength and integrity, a frankness in which is not just to be applauded, but to be seen as direction in which every woman, every man can aspire to.

An E.P. of absolute beauty, there is no higher praise than to understand how much so one has touched your heart.

Ian D. Hall