Ren Harvieu - Through The Night

Harvieu possesses an elegantly luxurious vocal style which belies its modern context.

Label: Island
Released: 4th July 2011
Reviewer: Simon Butcher

Very little is known about 20-year-old Salford born songstress, Ren Harvieu, but one fact we can bring you with conviction is that she possesses an elegantly luxurious vocal style which belies its modern context. Backed by production from Jimmy Hogarth, who has previously found success with Amy Winehouse and Paulo Nutini, this Northern talent could be the next female solo artist to be hand-picked from obscurity to garner mainstream acclaim.

The youngest of three girls, her father used to sing in pubs around Manchester, while Harvieu entered a number of talent shows. Despite this early enthusiasm for singing and also studying musical theatre, she never really entertained the idea of becoming a musician as being more than a daydream. But after recording in a friend’s studio and posting her efforts online, she soon found a manager and a deal with Island while still in her teens.

After keeping a low online profile and allowing herself to develop, debut single, 'Through The Night', marks her first appearance from the cocoon. This is no meek emergence, nor is it a bold assertion of independence, or a willingness to wander into unchartered territory. Major label backing and a deal with Jimmy Hogarth’s aptly named Kid Gloves venture have influenced a sound which was always intended to veer towards commercial success.

For some the texture will be too rich, layers of piano, slaps of double-bass, rising strings, and a backing chorus, could see a move further towards Burt Bacharach sponsored Rumer territory than intended. Yet what is undeniable for those unpretentious enough to admit it is that Harvieu is an exceptional vocal talent, and despite the heavy use of instrumentation, this makes the debut striking. Rating: 7/10