‘Saddest Eyes’ is Amy Wadge’s first release on the innovative Welsh label RealityCheck Recording. Finding this singer-song writer in a pensive yet emotive frame of mind, ‘Saddest Eyes’ acts as a perfect introduction into the world and emotions of Amy Wadge.

The CD is comprised of two ‘proper’ songs and a remix of the title track. ‘Saddest Eyes’ is a simplistic little number that plays with melancholy while toying with the ideas and concepts of love, life and relationships. There’s just something about this track that seems to tug, pull and pluck at my heartstrings. Maybe it’s the sprawled out guitar riffs in the verses, the gentle and effective vocal echo or the musical building in the chorus, that’s just forcing me to reach for that replay button, and listen just one more time.

The second tack in this three-piece outlet, is the Spec X-ray remix of the title track, unfortunately unlike the original this track just doesn’t do it for me, like a lot of remixes I find it somewhat bland and musically cold.

‘Drunk’ is probably the most folk orientated of the three, again it is simplistic in set-up with a single acoustic guitar and Amy’s vocals making up the whole body of the song. It’s not hard to envisage this track being played in the smoking and somewhat sleazy environment of those all-night western bars. The harsher vocal tone that is adopted at various points, contrasts greatly to the light angelic sounds that are predominantly featured on this song.

The obvious PJ Harvey comparison was simply unavoidable. Tone, style and set up all show traits that can be heavily related to the aforementioned especially the angelic, yet at times, bittersweet vocals. And just like Polly-Jean herself, Amy has also struck a chord with me. Which leaves me with only one thing to do…. – now where did I put my acoustic guitar and cowboy hat again!