Inspired by the likes of Wolf Alice and Arcade Fire, London-based artist Tina Boonstra writes in a vulnerable yet determined vein. Her debut EP My Concrete Heart (Will Beat Again), released on 2nd February via 7Core Music, is a collection of moving, honest songs that will school listeners in empathy and introspection.
The understated ‘Prodigal’ opens the record, quietly showcasing Tina’s measured but powerful vocals. It leads into the soothing ‘I Think I See You Now’ which plays out “as steady as my heart beats / as certain as the sunrise.” Tina’s musical style may have been intended for the halls of churches (she was raised in a Christian missionary family), but it’s clear from these tracks that her sound was meant to echo further.
It’s easy to surrender “skin and bone” to the sound of ‘Occupy Me’ as it gently builds into another three minutes of hymn-like escapism. Following track ‘Concrete Heart’ is a complete change of pace, with pounding drums, heavier guitar riffs and a melodic chorus that breaks through like the “perfect love” Tina sings of. It feels like an aural emotional release, ringing with the relief you experience when you find someone worth opening up to again.
‘Only A Human’ changes the EP’s direction once more, as Tina explores the isolation of another character: a teenage boy with a suicide bomb strapped to his chest. It’s an unexpected turn and a thought provoking exploration of empathy, culminating in the honest lyric “you’re not to blame now / you’re only a human.” The gentle ‘Castle’ closes the record. It’s a carefully curated piano-led ode to a fortress of love and support and a calm ending to this soft but tempestuous debut.
Speaking of her EP, Tina admits: “I wanted to sing about faith and doubt and the very real struggle to feel anything apart from completely numb.” We’re sure listening to My Concrete Heart (Will Beat Again) will make others feel more again too.
Listen to Tina’s EP on Spotify here, and follow her on Facebook for more updates.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
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