Lou Rhodes is best known as vocalist and one half of seminal Manchester group Lamb. Made up of Rhodes and song writing partner Andy Barlow, over four studio albums Lamb was a balancing act of Rhodes’ soulful fragile voice and Barlow’s complex layers of rhythms and technology. Soon after Lamb’s 2004 album ‘Between Darkness & Wonder’, after ten years together, Rhodes and Barlow called it a day. The constant struggle for compromise between the two opposing musical minds getting the better of both of them and leading to their eventual parting. Though the two remain close friends, they have both since pursued different musical projects. At the same time as the disintegration of Lamb, another of Rhodes’ relationships was crumbling, this time to her partner of seven years and father of her two children. Rhodes abandoned the comfort of her house in London, packed the kids into a camper van and rediscovered her parents hippy roots as she made her way to Ridge Farm, a small commune in Surrey, England. And so sets the scene for ‘Beloved One’, Lou Rhodes Mercury Prize finalist debut solo album.

Funnily enough, the cover of ‘Beloved One’ is stylistically similar to ‘Between Darkness & Wonder’, offering an immediate sense of familiarity. Interestingly, whilst it has been the breaking down of relationships that has led to this albums genesis, it’s front cover depicts a comforting embrace, perhaps of new beginnings. Recorded in Ridge Farm’s own recording space, upon first listen the familiarity immediately extends beyond the cover artwork as Rhodes voice once again captures your attention, as she has done on Lamb’s four albums. The difference of course comes in the music, with Rhodes singularly writing nine of the ten songs.

‘Beloved One’ sees Rhodes taking a step away from the chaos and baring her soul to all. As she offers in opening song ‘Each Moment New’:

A wise man said to me
Don’t underrate simplicity
So I strip my life away
And try to live each day by day

Rhodes lyrics throughout, suggest the album has very much been a cathartic experience as she explores themes and scenarios indicative of the fracturing relationships around her. At the same time it’s not all doom and gloom and there is a definite feeling of hope and moving forward.

It is immediately apparent that the album has been written on an acoustic guitar. The album as a whole is mostly acoustic with accompanying strings and percussion. However tracks such as ‘Tremble’, Fortress’ and title track ‘Beloved One’ could all pass as downbeat Lamb songs. Rhodes demonstrates that she hasn’t lost her feel for a good rhythm, the difference being that samplers and sequencers have been replaced by hand held percussion, Chinese violins and Tuvan guitars.

Any fears of this being a straight up folk album are quickly alleviated upon first listen to ‘Beloved One’. However it’s only through repeated listens that the carefully textured layers can truly be appreciated. Whilst perhaps taking a step back in life to refocus on the simple things, Lou Rhodes is still very much alive musically. Given that this has been out a couple of months already hopefully all fans have already checked this out. For those who haven’t, you should need no further encouragement to do so now.