the folk-pop songstress’ sophomore is an exquisite mix of surging melodies and emotional restraint – beautiful stuff.

The term ‘to come of age’ lands with so much expectation, but with ‘Grim Town’, Bridie dissolves all such assuredness with imaginative, ambitious, and cathartic results. It is almost as though the greater soundscape - heavier in places, more pop-focused in others - has given SOAK the confidence to put her long overdue introspections in the firing line. Its beauty and brutality is there from the album open opener, ‘Get Set Go Kid’ which traces the train-tracks out of depression (“I’ve got to get out, I can’t live here anymore!”). “Skewing glossy sugar-laced melodies with low-key unvarnished folk, the Derry-based singer songwriter exhibits increasing versatility on this accomplished sophomore release” 8/10 – line of best fit.