While many long for the days of handing out cassettes at the local pub venue, there’s an undeniable simplicity to scrolling upon your new favourite artist - we stumble across gems like Pisgah this way.

Formed as the solo project by American-born Brittney Jenkins, her discography sits at the murky middle ground of alt-country with a goth edge and finds the knack of making such a combination work with thoughtful, considered lyricism. Boasting influences from The Cure and Emma Ruth Rundle, she’s one to watch and her latest single only furthers this.

Interestingly titled ‘Cumulonimbus’ (a flat-top cloud formation for those unfamiliar), the track glides into her wonderfully low-toned vocals, soft in delivery yet lingeringly haunting. She sings of a distant familial relationship, with poetic lyrics like “blood is thicker than water/I’ve learned nothing is thicker than shame”. Jenkins has a real gift for twisting proverbs in this way. It’s a piece of impactful storytelling; of the kind of bittersweet reflection her work is known for and so perfectly conveyed through each wavering syllable.

For a truly independent artist, it’s often puzzling to predict the quality of production.  If there’s a positive to be found in the matter, however, you can hold full creative control over your music. There’s great freedom away from label interference. Jenkins manages to display this with her ambient, unique sound, opening on gentle raindrop effects. While some may find this an unusual touch, it works perfectly as a clever nod to the title, before rolling out into a soft drumbeat. Each instrument is appropriately balanced and doesn’t compete. ‘Cumulonimbus’ may not hold any great crescendos or audible changes across the song, but make no mistake, this isn’t a composition to be described as underwhelming. It just simply functions, a well-oiled machine.

Pisgah’s upcoming album, ‘Faultlines’, is set for independent release in November 2025, and is sure to boast (or rather quietly proclaim) tracks of equal brilliance.

Sofia Neal

@girlfailmarkcorrigan_

Image: ‘Cumulonimbus’ Official Single Cover

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