ALBUM REVIEW: Holly Macve – Not The Girl

Modern Sky

Released: 14.05.21

Four years after her debut, Brighton’s Holly Macve has followed it up with an expansive, lavishly produced sophomore offering. Flapping her wings on slow-burn opener Bird, she sets off on a grandiose flight that rarely falters or deviates from its course.

Sounding for all the world like a countrified Lana Del Rey on the lush, melodic Eye Of The Storm, she pinches some Fire & Rain from James Taylor on Be My Friend before shredding some dirty southern boogie vibes on Sweet Marie. Occasionally that shiny production can feel a little overbearing, however, and it’s not until the closing reflective poignancy of Lonely Road that Macve takes a breath and lets her unique drawl soothe us as she makes a smooth landing.