Rhiannon Scutt Facets 1, 2 and 3

There's no doubt Rhiannon Scutt loves an EP.

Moving on from 2018's first live solo offering EP #9 and the critical acclaim garnered with Pete Sowerby in acoustic foot stompers Rita Payne, Rhiannon's latest triple EP release Facets represents a further milestone. Each EP (1. Pink, 2. Green, 3. Orange) acts as a platform for Rhiannon to explore her multiple musical identities – both as a solo singer-songwriter and in collaboration with artists such as Treebound Story's Paul Infanti and Mark Toney.

Pink EP opener 'Let Me Go' channels k.d. lang, with the vocals underpinned by poignant acoustic guitar, echoey sax and an eighties synth run for good measure. There's sassy lyrical sangfroid here too, evident in the line: "I don't do it caus I hate you / I do it caus I love myself.” The bittersweet yearning of ‘Married Man’ is perfect Americana, with stunning trumpet from Eloise Oates-Lidar nicely complementing Rhiannon's wistful vocal, whilst the droning sci-fi intro and vocals from Paul Infanti on ‘Take Up Space’ sets the scene for a tight harmony hook that swirls and whirls.

Closer ‘Spill It Out’ is a standout. Scratchy guitar chugs menacingly behind Rhiannon's minacious vocal before off-kilter trumpets and wild axe feedback take us home.

Facets 2 (green) is more introspective, allowing Rhiannon the space to explore her storytelling craft with alt-country tracks ‘Audrey’, the self-deprecating ‘The Songwriter’ and the sublime ‘Lee’, which lyrically and vocally channels Laura Marling. It ends with a live recording from The Big Wow in Kelham Island – a masterclass in acoustic guitar called ‘Paint For Peace’.

Facets 3 (orange) steps up the tempo and optimism via ‘Speak’ and brilliant closer ‘Stevie’, allowing Rhiannon’s band to extend their musical chops to great effect. “Am I alright? / Am I doing fine?" she sings on ‘Racing On’. The answer is a categorical ‘yes’ on both counts – there's a breadth and depth both lyrically and sonically to this trilogy, with songs that deserve wider live airings. Until then we should embrace and applaud Rhiannon's love of the EP, as if this is her musical platform of choice, then count me in.