Rianne Downey – The Consequence of Love
On her debut album, Rianne Downey wears her heart on her sleeve across ten tracks that have an unmistakably Scottish flavour
It seems difficult to believe that this is Rianne Downey’s debut album. Having stepped into some formidable shoes as Paul Heaton’s vocal foil at arenas and festivals across the country, Downey is now establishing herself as a singular vocalist in her own right. That talent is showcased across ten tracks which wear their heart on their sleeve and have an unmistakeably Scottish flavour.
It’s a polished album, though the lush strings never get in the way of Downey’s soaring vocals. Standout track The Consequence of Love deals with difficult subject matter, without straying into self-pity. It has a clear echo of New Slang by noughties indie favourites The Shins, and like them you can imagine Downey’s music featuring in a pivotal scene of a heartfelt Hollywood flick. Fans of Nashville’s own Caitlin Rose will also find much to love here.
'They say God loves a trier', sings Downey on album closer Heart of Mine, 'Lord knows I’m trying hard'. In reality, this is a debut which sounds effortless, and marks the arrival of a new Scottish superstar. They used to say that Americana was just a posh way of saying you liked country music. Downey has captured something that you’d perhaps have to call 'Caledoniana' – Scottish country with a pure heart.
Listen to: Heart of Mine, The Song of Old Glencoe, The Consequence of Love