Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The influence of others is not confined to how we are seen to be raised by them, but in how we also appreciate what they themselves had to go through to become who they are now, before we set eyes on them, before we hopefully felt their love and warmth inhabit our every waking thought and dedication to our own particular journey in their tale.

Being shaped by certain people’s attitudes and beliefs lives long in the soul, longer than we perhaps suspect, and yet it is to their influence that we carry on their story, but with our own magic imbedded into the tale’s structure. So, it is with Kailey Nicole and her eponymously titled E.P., a set of songs that capture the intensity of feeling we would all hope that we can exhibit when we have something beautiful, insightful, or even imaginative to say.

The E.P., which consists of the songs Brand New Day, Diamonds And Coal, Save Me For A Rainy Day, Change My Ways, Tennessee and Country Love Song, is that honest reflection of a life caught up in providing a text for others to understand, not looking for sympathy, to which far too many believe an artist is showboating for but to impart a sense of empathy, to bring common ground to the listener’s ears.

Writing and performing from a young age can leave its own sizeable mark on the psyche, for some it can be overwhelming, a place in which some will not get to experience the joy of the other side when the feelings have developed more, become more entrenched and powerful and for some, like Kailey Nicole, what has gone before is just a side step to how they conduct themselves now, full of hope, ready to develop further and with objective professionalism weaved right through their own heart and one, as the songs bestow, are grateful to the warmth made clear to which her experiences have benefited from the inspiration of others.

An E.P. full of flavour, of country texture, and to which is a sure indication of the strength of her work; Kailey Nicole has musically come of age and it is really only the start of greatness to come. 

Kailey Nicole’s eponymously titled E.P. is out now.

Ian D. Hall