Move On Review: Single by Louisa Rowley

Louisa Rowley is a name with which I’ve only just become acquainted , but then her music – if Move On is anything to go by – leans towards the soul/funk end of the spectrum, which isn’t an area to which I’ve paid much attention since the 60s and 70s. But there’s something more interesting happening here than the self-satisfied strutting I tend to remember from those days. Though perhaps soul is always more – well, soulful – on the distaff side, thinking of singers like Aretha Franklin, Joss Stone, Bonnie Raitt, even Dusty Springfield. In Louisa’s case, her ‘funk-meets-blues’ influences combine with her exploration of issues arising from her own mental health, with an honesty that reminds me a little of the very talented Hannah Hull (Burning Salt), though Hannah’s music is very different.

A little research into Louisa’s press kit revealed some tracks with an electric blues sensibility that is a little more to my own taste, but Move On has an energetic yet smooth production by Richard Marc with some funky bass and guitar that would almost have me converted, even without the benefit of Louisa’s accomplished and (literally) soulful vocals and positive – even uplifting – lyric.

Move On is due for release on the 14^th of November, and there’s an EP coming out at the end of the year. I’m certainly looking forward to hearing that. There’s more about Louisa on her website at https://www.louisa-rowley-music.com/