The question has often been asked, ‘Does the world need another singer-songwriter?’. Certainly, many acoustic guitar-wielding troubadours would be better off saving their grievances for their diaries instead of inflicting them on the wider world. However, every now and then a new voice comes along that’s worthy of attention. Tessa Perry is such a voice.
Born in England, raised in West Cork and currently residing in New York, Tessa reminds this listener of a folkier Ani diFranco, with a breathy, world-weary quality to her voice that also calls to mind Beth Orton in her quieter moments. The production throughout is warm and intimate, as Tessa & Co. utilise a range of mainly acoustic instruments, including fiddle, banjo, accordion and even trombone – Tessa was joined on production duties by Brad Albetta, who recently worked with Martha Wainwright. Highlights include the strings-driven ‘You Said’, the bittersweet ‘Sink Or Swim’, the jazzy Waits-ean ‘Brave Song’ and the delicate ‘Breathe’.
Weightless isn’t exactly an album to get the pulse racing, but if you’re patient with these quiet, reflective songs of love, loss, alienation and/or belonging, you’ll be amply rewarded.