Junebug EP - Nerina Pallot : REVIEW

Junebug was the second of three EPs released by Nerina Pallot, a London-born and Jersey raised singer-songwriter. It was released in June 2009, three years after the second release of her second album, 'Fires'. Pallot is renowned for writing her own songs, but on this EP she introduces her husband Andy Chatterley into the works as co-writer.

1. Junebug 4:10
2. Bloom 3:58
3. God of Small Things 3:21
4. How Do We Cope? 3:06
5. This Will Be Our Year 4:00


The first track on the EP is the title track: 'Junebug'. Penned by Pallot and Chatterley the song kicks off with a rather risque first line: 'Let's take off all our clothes'. A lively guitar song, much more 'pop' in genre than tracks from Pallot's first album 'Dear Frustrated Superstar' and much of her second album too. The chorus begins 56 seconds in with the fantastic lyric 'How did we know, when we met, we would feel this? How did we know it would be so beautiful?' This is where I realised that this is a love song, a very personal one. Admittedly it took me a few listens to really love this song, and now I find it rather Kylie-esque. Nerina's voice works beautifully with the strong guitar chords. A very pretty little ditty.

'Bloom' is the second track on the EP, a very summery song indeed. Another guitar track which tells the tale of wishing and dreaming for the future, for a successful life, 'It's never too late to bloom'. It describes a girl who grew up believing she'd make it some day, and at the same time a woman who asks 'Do you wish your life would go another way?'. The lyrics appear to me as tentative, for example 'we close our eyes and dare to hope', which I find an extremely beautiful line. Bloom is a very thought-provoking song, made up of positive chords and strong vocals from Pallot. I really like this song, it always cheers me up with it's optimistic views on the word.

The third track is 'God of Small Things', the only track I'd heard prior to the release of the EP, as it had been posted on Nerina's Myspace page a while earlier. This is my favourite track from the EP; to me it comes across as an innocent message to God. Pallot is a religious person, and she conveys some very personal thoughts in this song. The piano creates a more melancholy tone to such an exquisite track. Pallot questions a number of things including God's existance, the workings of the world and my personal favourite, 'Do you keep your blessings for the rich, the pyres and their guns? Or if you're half the man I hope, you root for everyone'. This is much a softer song than the others on the EP, but so very beautiful.

'How Do We Cope?' is the penultimate track on the EP, the last guitar track. 'How Do We Cope?' presents Pallot's strongest vocals on the EP, and uses repetition in the lyrics to incredible effect. The title explains the song well, but I think it's about the decline of a relationship. It is a very powerful song that boasts a number of excellent lyrics, for example, 'My heart beats like an express train'. I would yet again describe this track as 'Pop' in genre, it's very catchy and rhythmic. I have a lot of love for this song.

The final track on the EP is entitled 'This Will Be Our Year'. A stunning piano song full of hope for the future. Once again Pallot presents us with powerful vocals and beautiful lyrics, including 'Hope we're heading for a future and not heading for a fall'. It's a song about making do and keeping on keeping on, because everything brightens up eventually. I feel like 'This Will Be Our Year' is a sad song, yet has optimistic connotations. It encompasses feelings of doubt about the world, and life in itself, creating a very thoughtful track. I adore this song.

Junebug is a very exciting EP, beginning with very summery and light music, which evolves to show a darker side of Pallot. I would highly recommend this EP to anyone who enjoys Nerina's music, and anyone who enjoys pop, acoustic music and beautiful lyrics.