Scott Lloyd
Album: Long Live You
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 5
Website: http://www.scottlloydmusic.co.uk

Originally from Middlesbrough, but more recently relocated to Manchester, Scott Lloyd has nad plenty of opportunity to see what happens to an area when it's betrayed by successive governments of all colours and what that can do to the spirit of a town, how it addresses those lows and just as importantly collectively react to the highs, such as recharging the blast furnace.

In the manner of many a singer songwriter, particularly those who infuse their music with elements of protest and subversion, Scott Lloyd keeps it simple, just him, his guitar, harmonica and finely honed lyrics, capable of cutting to the quick.

There is an element of have guitar and will travel about "Long Live You", a chance to take in the influences of being on the road and finding different perspectives. It means that his debut release isn't a morose rant at the world, expressing bitter songs about how unfair it is to him personally, there is much more to the writing of Scott Lloyd than that, you'll be pleased to hear.

I get the impression that Scott Lloyd enjoys life, even though he can clearly see the fault lines. He's able to translate that into a real narrative in his songs, the setting of location giving the spirit of the songs somewhere to work, somewhere to breathe.

The five tracks that make up "Long Live You" show an artist with a real promise and one who is developing his own style over well work ground, but following in the footsteps of the likes of Phil Ochs and Billy Bragg, is not ground that makes for creating an identity, even if it's fertile ground for the songs, but you get a feeling that he's already finding his own paths in the world and this EP shows he has the talent to turn them into good songs.

Neil King