It’s an act of faith to call your debut album Unsung. For London’s Holly Walker, she says it refers to finally articulating feelings of grief. But it also alludes to her being someone who until now has been largely behind the scenes – a singer’s singer, a secret weapon – someone whose dynamic, diamond-sharp voice is a treasure trove yet to be truly unlocked.
Walker broke through by fronting songs on the British electronic duo Maribou State’s 2015 album Portraits. There’s a sweet BBC recording of them performing at Glastonbury in 2019; when Walker looks out at the enormous crowd, she utters “Jesus!” in surprise. But while she might be less practiced at playing huge festivals, she has long been plotting her solo career. She has played piano since childhood, put out her first EP in 2012 and – a flavour of the musical circles she moves in – was part of the underground arts collective OneTaste with the likes of Little Dragon, Portico Quartet and Jamie Woon.
More than 10 years later, the Mercury-nominated Woon appeared as co-producer on Unsung, self-released by Walker last November, while maverick producer Dave Okumu was one of her session musicians. Walker’s intricate storytelling and melancholy mood is offset by the album’s lean funk-pop, while there are hints of Enya in its ethereal vocal layering. And she doesn’t pull her lyrical punches. “You had your head smashed in,” goes the opening line of Doubt, like butter wouldn’t melt. The critiques write themselves: Holly Walker won’t remain unsung for long.
Unsung is out now. Holly Walker plays EartH, London N16 on 14 March
