A lot of artists tipped as ‘ones to watch’ spit their albums out at the start of the year, aiming to capitalise on all the attention they’re getting, and Beth Jeans Houghton is no exception. The thing is, she’s been ‘one to watch’ since 2009, when her Hot Toast Volume One EP delighted fans of all things frenetic, female and folky. Since then though, there’s been no other releases from Houghton, who’s chosen to take her time with her debut album, working with producer Ben Hillier on this collection of songs for over two years until she was happy with the results.
It’s that sense of purpose and singularity that marks BJH out amongst the raft of other spangly female singer songwriters. Anyone who’s seen one of her live outings with The Hooves Of Destiny will know that this isn’t folk in the serious sense of the word – you’re as likely to see child tap dancing or a burping contest on stage as you are to hear a plaintive acoustic lament. If you haven’t seen her live, then that album title alone should also give you a sign that Houghton isn’t too caught up in being the next Florence.