Katie Gavin - What A Relief

The soft drum beat on the opening track of Katie Gavin's first solo venture is completely reminiscent of tentative footsteps on cobblestones. It's fitting, really — the gentle contemplation of 'I Want It All' feels like a hesitant but assured step out for the first time. A list of wants and desires, and unabashed dream of having it all — it's all tangled together in that very first track. Over the course of 'What A Relief', Katie will take that giant, messy knot of feelings, thoughts, emotions and needs, and set about undoing it.

It's something that is done with a delicate, tender touch, without any need to rush at working through these things. 'What A Relief' feels rooted in the quotidian and everyday, and especially when it comes to love — whether it's the love for a sadly passed dog on 'Sweet Abby Girl', or a relationship that is secure and good but not as explosive and consuming as one might be used to, on 'As Good As It Gets'. It finds peace in those quieter moments, and embraces that. Thoughtful and complex, it provides the sense of space and time to explore those feelings yourself with each listen.

Favouring a more folky soundscape than what many have come to expect from Katie's work as part of MUNA, 'What A Relief' is intricately textured — laid on a bed of country influences and alt-rock leanings, it weaves violin and pedal guitars into its sweetly lush tapestry. 'Sparrow' is darker, haunted and harmonic. 'Keep Walking' acknowledges equal responsibility in a breakup, doing so to a gorgeous blend of guitar that encompasses a newfound peace.

The vocals transform from resigned to sentimental and hopeful as the album progresses — each realisation and thought is displayed without apology, and it quickly becomes a healing experience. That knotted ball the album begins with is gradually pulled apart and set right, and in doing so, Katie manages to do the same to your own feelings. 'What A Relief' is an unravelling — a welcome, joyous one.