Johanna Warren – The Rockfield Sessions Vol. 2 Review

What does Johanna Warren sound like?

Dark, tender folk rock with a grungy edge.

The review of ‘The Rockfield Sessions Vol. 2’ by Johanna Warren

Closing out Johanna Warren’s musical career for the time being is the second volume of a live in-studio performance recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales from July 2023. Johanna often spoke of her live performances being the core of what she enjoyed most and this second volume showcases her softer side. This thirteen track performance covers tracks across Warren’s career and strips most of them back to just an acoustic guitar or a piano and Johanna’s voice.

The intimate recording shines a light on one of indie folks’ most unsung artists. The opening duo ‘Rose Potion’ and ‘Your Glow’ are rustic and mellow ballads. The unpolished emotion in Johanna’s voice lets the husky low notes soothe as the guitar warmly hugs the listener in comfort. ‘Oaths’ on the other hand lets Johanna ring out powerfully over dynamic piano frills and staunch stompy chords. It’s dramatic and cinematic like the original and the emotional voice breaks hit home. ‘Less Traveled’ brings gentle whistles and sweet psyche-folk guitars whilst showcasing Warren’s upper register. The original is magical and this version takes it further into a late 60’s folk direction. It is rather cute and innocent with its chirpy whistle bridge.

The carefree skipping waltz of ‘Follow’ is a beautiful standout. The melodic mesh of acoustic guitar melodies and the waves and octaves Johanna rides make it a dynamic rollercoaster. ‘Glukupikron’ is a dreamy psychedelic lilting prairie ride in slow motion. Subdued and deliberate – it’s a track that gets under your skin quietly. The wrangling finger-picking hiding in the background of ‘A Bird in the Crocodile’s Mouth’ adds tension to an already taut track. You are waiting for the croc’s mouth to snap shut but that tension never releases.

It takes until track 8 ‘Hungry Ghost’ before we get some good old guitar strumming. This alt-rock anthem still has power stripped back as it showcases the dynamic range of a performer in sync with the emotional heartline of their song. ‘Part of it’ is the other big bouncy track and that transitions excellently from a fast grungy folk anthem into a dusty toe-tapper. ‘Found I Lost’ and ‘Good is Gone’ return back to dreamy folksy renditions but are slightly overshadowed because of the more powerful pieces around them. That includes ‘Twisted’ which contains moments of unhinged wailing and gut-punches of emotional trauma spilling out over the studio floor. Cathartic and haunted, you can feel every piece of broken heart. The session closes with ‘Maya’, a short haunted acapella piece akin to a sorrowful moonlight poem.

The closing of ‘Twisted’ feels like the nub of this album. Johanna Warren screams “I gave it my all” repeatedly with violence and defiance. I wonder if that’s a comment on her music career as much as anything else. Choosing to walk away on your own terms is a difficult thing to do and this double-volume live session is a stunning way to end a chapter of superb singer-songwriting and live performance. A gift and memento for fans, thank you for the music Johanna, we’ll welcome you back anytime.

Recommended track: Follow

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