More about: Girlhood

Girlhood’s eponymous debut album is a gospel-pop exploration of womanhood, humanity, and inter-personal relationships. Across the board, the duo manage to infuse a very distinctively British sound into their work whilst taking inspiration from late 80s, hip hop, neo-soul, Fugees, and The Avalanches. 

Throughout the album, soul influences and gospel tinges track with the highs and lows of human experience that Tessa Cavanna’s lyrics travel through. Altogether a very cohesive album, Girlhood take you on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, stopping off to deal with tough subjects such as alcohol abuse and trying relationships along the way.

Final track ‘The Love I Need’ is a definite high point on the album as its uplifting intro helps to wash away some of the more solemn notes of tracks such as ‘Bad Decisions’ and ‘Fall Away’. The gospel-style choir that makes an appearance in the chorus adds a real sense of celebration to the album's end - this paired with Cavanna’s vocals give an overwhelming sense of joy to the record, and here more than anywhere else.

Though Cavanna's intentions - "to see the love we need and be aware of how to share that love with others" - shine through, it's a little disappointing to receive only two new tracks on this debut. Five older releases and four pre-release singles leave little new to discover or connect on a full-length.

Still, this is an album that acts as an incredible introduction to Girlhood. If you're not already familiar with them, it's a definite treat. 

Girlhood arrives 23 October via Team Talk Records.

More about: Girlhood