Vanessa Forero – ‘Some Kinda Grace’ Review

What does Vanessa Forero sound like?

Indie-folk songstress weaving native Columbian instrumentation into her mix.

The review of ‘Some Kinda Grace’ by Vanessa Forero

Hot off an improvised TV collaboration with Ben Fogle about making a cup of tea (a British anthem in waiting surely), Vanessa Forero returns with a new EP. Weaving her distinctive songwriting and instrument selection through three excellent tracks, ‘Some Kinda Grace’ perfectly walks the tightrope of UK indie-folk and South American folk.

‘Mercy’ opens the EP with a moody but uptempo number. The deep sweeping drums, Columbian wind instruments and Latin flair of the guitar give the track a global feel. This is because the song’s structure and chords are more rooted in European folk. Vanessa has always had a knack for finding catchy vocal adlibs and ‘Mercy’ is no exception. It is a fine opener. ‘Critters & Kings’ is a quieter acoustic track with guitar and uke working in tandem to sway you into a sullen state. It’s one of the most country tracks in Vanessa’s catalogue. ‘Some Kinda Grace’ is a lighter, brighter guitar and vocal piece. Here Vanessa hits squarely at the singer-songwriter fan base with a song that I could have heard Tanya Donelly perform and not bat an eyelid. From the delicate and complex fingerwork of the guitar to the impassioned vocals, it showcases the best of Forero.

With two of the tracks focusing on a quieter, stripped-back approach, this EP shows a different side to Vanessa Forero’s work. Usually, the complex explosion of instruments and firey delivery are the trademarks of a Forero release and yet here, we have quiet moments of contemplation. This is definitely her most “rootsy” release. Without all the bells and whistles (quite literally), the quality of Vanessa’s songwriting and performance still shines brightly. With seemingly more releases planned for 2024, let us hope this is Vanessa Forero’s year. She truly deserves it.

Recommended track: Some Kinda Grace

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