Indie folk musician Naomi Kelly has just released their second EP, ‘Ghost Light’. An emerging artist in both the North East and their hometown Leeds, Naomi has built up a uniquely DIY sound from open mic nights and headline shows.
‘Ghost Light’ features five carefully crafted songs that explore queer heartache behind the clever use of metaphors. It’s witty and vulnerable, and Naomi has constructed a balanced sound that champions DIY by keeping authenticity at the forefront.
The opening track, ‘Understudy’, captures their gift for articulating emotions. As the title suggests, the song understands what it is to be a second option underneath soft piano riffs. Lyrics such as “Hand me my script” and “I’m ready to play your favourite girl again” beautifully summarise the heartache of remaining friends with someone you want more with.
The themes of heartbreak are central to the entire EP, and can also be seen in ‘Another Town’. The gentle strums of a guitar remain the main accompaniment, and Naomi has a gift for using metaphors to confront pain through comfortable and colloquial language.
Recently featured on BBC Introducing North East, ‘husband’ feels like the epitome of queer love. The production is glittered with beautiful harmonies and heart-wrenching melodies that explore queer identity in a space that feels like a warm hug. “I wanna be your husband, baby, I wanna be your wife” emphasises this.
The power of acoustic storytelling is heard in ‘Untitled Board Game Song’, which recognises love and life as a board game. It’s well-balanced, and Kelly constructs the lyrics well over a raw guitar. Their vocals are soft, gentle, and velvety despite the devastating words being sung. “The cards are stacked against us”, and “I always end up getting used” highlight some of the pain that seeps through, and, ironically, there are no real winners in these board games.
The band are introduced on the final track of the EP. ‘Over’ is a treat for the ears, and we are blessed with bass, drums, and guitar. It points back towards Kelly's Do-It-Yourself roots and proves they can do more than just acoustic folk. The realism in the lyrics feels universal, and you can picture crowds singing along to “I keep crying alone in my room.” It serves as a teaser for what we could hear in the future.
‘Ghost Light’ is a wonderful introduction to Naomi Kelly’s music. Saturated in homemade recordings and handcrafted emotions, it’s an impressive letter to queer love.
Lucy Bower
Image: 'Ghost Light' Official EP Cover
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