Laura Evans – 'Running Back to You'  EP

When it comes to music, the Welsh really are a talented bunch! From creating bonafide legends Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey to more modern stars such as mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and rockers Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics, the hills and mountains of Snowdonia are indeed alive with the sound of music! Some of the most revered songs and albums were written and recorded in Wales, at the famous Rockfield Studios, including Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody… and there’s little doubt in my mind that they have the most stirring national anthem in the United Kingdom, particularly when sang with gusto by a male voice choir at rugby internationals! (Note: granted, my name gives away Welsh heritage in my family lineage and perhaps calls my impartiality into question when it comes to ‘Cymru’… but I’m still sticking by my words! Musically, they’ve got it!).

It’s on the back of this impressive musical legacy from her home country that Aberdare-born singer/songwriter Laura Evans releases her 5-track EP, Running Back to You, on 31st July 2020. Whilst pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, Evans honed her songwriting skills by taking regular trips to Nashville, Tennessee before eventually relocating to the “Music City” and home of country music for a period of time. On returning to the U.K. in 2016, her experiences stateside ensured that she was well equipped to be part of the burgeoning country music scene that continues to grow to this day. With blues and soul also being influences, can Laura Evans start to write her own name in the Welsh music history books with the Running Back to You EP?

The singing voice of Laura Evans is introduced pretty much immediately on opening track Drag Me Back In. Recently released as the second single from the EP, there’s an ever so slight distortion to the vocals, and combined with the bluesy bass line and mildly distorted guitar sound, this provides a real grittiness to the track. There’s a clear quality to the songwriting and production, mainly because the musicians don’t overplay! There’s no flashy guitar solo or complicated drumbeats fighting to be heard in the mix. Instead, it’s simple chords, some great lead electric guitar work in the background and straightforward percussion driving the track along. It’s a simple but effective musical accompaniment with the voice of Evans being at the forefront. If the production brief was to make the song all about the voice, it worked well! In some ways, there’s a similarity to fellow Welsh singer Duffy’s 2008 album Rockferry (and that’s no bad thing when you consider the Grammy and Brit Awards that won!) but there’s a much more bluesy, lived-in, real-life feel to Laura Evans. It’s a great opening track.

Next up is the title track and first single, Running Back to You. Released with an accompanying sepia-tinged, vintage-style music video, this went straight to Number One on the iTunes Blues Chart and peaked at 43 on the prestigious US Blues Chart. That’s no mean feat! There’s a very retro-feel to it and for some reason, when listening with my eyes closed, I can’t help but visualise 1970s flower deco and avocado coloured kitchen units… but I have a feeling that might have been the plan! This song has a more upbeat, faster tempo than the opening track and it’s impossible to listen without tapping your foot or clicking your fingers. The organ sound in the background and the “ooooh, ooooh” backing vocals prominent throughout provide that authentic vintage sound. Evans’ vocals are much clearer here and she is able to fully explore her range. There’s a short but perfectly formed guitar solo leading back into the main chorus as the song approaches the end with great backing vocal refrains of “I’ll keep on running”. Stevie Nicks in her heyday would’ve been perfect for this song but in the present day, Laura Evans very much makes it her own.

Mess of Me (not a personal statement… it’s the name of the song!) opens with a piano intro and lyrically appears to be about a painful break up. Perhaps this was written with reference to the “film director boyfriend” who broke Laura’s heart in California but led to her becoming more serious about her songwriting? Or perhaps not? Either way, on this beautiful piano ballad Laura Evans sings with true heart and soul, leaving her feelings so exposed for all to hear that it can’t be anything but autobiographical. With lyrics such as “I wish I knew how long it would be to get back to being me. Truth is, I’m not sure how to start” and “I can cry, I can scream, say we were never meant to be but down here on my knees, I can’t undo the mess you made of me”, this will resonate with many who have been in the situation of being hurt by someone they loved. If you’re that unfortunate person, you’d listen to this in your pyjamas with puffy eyes whilst single-handedly destroying a tub of ice cream! The only additional accompaniment to the piano and Evans’ voice is the occasional layer of backing vocals with a mildly gospel sound… but frankly, anything more would’ve taken the raw emotion from this song. It’s a gorgeous, wonderfully written ballad and if indeed it is autobiographical, it’s a prime example of how turning feelings and personal life experiences into music often makes the best songs.

The next track, Aberdare, is very possibly the only song ever written about the town in the Cynon Valley! But to Laura Evans, it’s her hometown and it clearly holds an important place in her heart; “Take me back to Aberdare. My heart, my soul, my everywhere”. The catchy acoustic guitar works well with Evans’ voice and I’d argue that this is the most country-feeling song on this EP, particularly at the chorus which has a very sing-along quality to it. This is where Laura’s life experiences and influences combine, as Nashville and Aberdare become one! Her voice soars at the bridge section and her vocal quality is clear to hear. Special mention to the bass player on this track too for driving the track along with a tunefulness that creates a bright and happy feeling. It’s a feel-good track that demands to be listened to on a sunny summer day and is tailor-made for commercial radio stations such as Radio 2.

The EP concludes with an acoustic version of second track Running Back to You. Again, it comes with a vintage-inspired music video featuring old style TVs to provide that retro feel. It’s not completely different sounding from the original track and definitely isn’t worse… but no matter how hard they try, the acoustic guitars will never be able to replicate that wonderful organ sound found on the original. Nevertheless, it’s still a foot-tapper and pretty much brings the album full circle to finish.

Laura Evans has worked in the entertainment industry for a long time. From singing and entertaining as a youngster in Welsh village halls and clubs to starring in movies and TV shows whilst living in Hollywood, she has learned how to entertain and please an audience. But what is also abundantly clear on this EP is that her time in Nashville, lauded as the music capital of the world, has taught her the art of songwriting. In an industry where singer/songwriters are the latest marketable trend, it takes something very special to stick out from the crowd… but with her Running Back to You EP, Laura Evans has created something different and quite unique. It’s country, yet it’s bluesy. It’s bluesy, yet it’s soulful. It’s retro, yet it’s modern. That’s what’s special about this EP. It’s available for preorder now on her website and I’d recommend that you give it a try.

Once you’ve listened, it’s very possible that you’ll keep running back to it.