What does Joan Shelley sound like?

Traditional English-styled folk music with muted edges and a lot of heart.

The review of ‘Mood Ring’ by Joan Shelley

When an artist can use their gentle guitar fingerwork to lull you into a dreamy reverie of emotions, you know you’ll be in for a good time. Add in a soft but assured voice, some traditional folk violin, harmonium and muted percussion and things elevate further. This is how Joan Shelley approaches her indie folk music. If Kate Stables (This Is The Kit) veered down a path of thoughtful lullabies – ‘Mood Ring’ would be the end product.

photo of Joan Shelley side on — Joan Shelley

Each track on this beautiful EP sounds rich and buttery smooth. The title track opens the album with the softest of acoustic guitar strums. Joan’s voice barely registers at first too but as the melody and form sharpens, harmonium adds depth and weight to a beautiful tone poem. As words turn to soft ‘ooohs’ a noodling electric guitar cascades like an unfurling dress of folk music. All is calm and delicately balanced. It is an enchanting introduction to Joan Shelley’s world and the perfect starting place to enjoy the rustic folk singer-songwriter.

‘Singing To You’ brings in soft muted drums and balmy violin. The song has an uplifting and carefree innocence to it as it sways its rhythm hypnotically. The light yet catchy vocal coos bring levity, like an English flower garden in Spring. Indeed, this song is the perfect soundtrack for a Spring grassland walk. Its endearing sweetness has cheered me up every time I listen to it as it is just swaying to its own pace. ‘Fire of the Morning’ is a devastatingly sparse fingerstyle guitar and vocal piece. Lyrically complex, Joan sings of each new day bringing opportunity and worry. It is the kind of song that would be hailed as an underground folk hit if it were recorded in 1965.

“Just seven steps from the Magpie’s nest – all you need to know for your journey” repeats Joan in ‘Seven Steps’. Leaning towards a darker drone territory with Moog atmospherics and lots of rustling percussion, this is the EP’s moody piece. Shelley keeps things ominous without feeling oppressive by keeping the instrumentation paired back. After we’ve taken the journey, the EP closes with the warm and comforting ‘I Look After You’. Kalimba, piano and soft keyboards paint a safe space to wrap up under the duvet and feel protected. It’s a simple melody and could come across as trite and cheesy in the wrong hands. Thankfully, Joan Shelley keeps it understated, underplayed and earnest.

Earnest is a great description of ‘Mood Ring’. The Louisville, Kentucky-based singer-songwriter keeps her melodies and messages quite simple yet poetic. The production betrays the level of skill and restraint to not cram the audio production needlessly. Instead, Joan keeps things focused and direct. It is all the better for it. If you are a fan of artists like Kate Stables, Olivia Chaney, Katie Spencer and maybe Sandy Denny – you’ll find a new favourite artist in Joan Shelley. As a new listener and fan, I’ve got a decent back catalogue to get acquainted with, so I hope this spurs on some new listeners to discover her too.

Recommended track: Singing To You

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