Reviews

Josienne Clarke
In All Weather

(Rough Trade)

9/10

In All Weather takes its title from a line in the record’s opening track – “Learning to sail in all weather”. This, Clarke says, is what we are all trying to do, “to right ourselves when things feel turbulent and uncertain…to stay true to the things you believe and need and let all the rest go.”

The record emerged from a turbulent and formative period in Clarke’s life, which saw the conclusion of personal and musical relationships as well as a relocation from London to the Scottish Isle of Bute. This is a break-up record, about moving on but not forgetting; of regaining self-worth and self-understanding and gathering lessons learnt.

Each song is special – simple yet full of depth. Clarke’s songwriting conjures darkly beautiful imagery; her voice as heart-breaking as it is soothing, and melancholic to its core. ‘If I Didn’t Mind’ explores the mindset of a person trapped in a passive-aggressive and emotionally manipulative relationship. Despite the serious subject matter, the song is irresistible, setting Clarke’s pure folk vocals against fuzzy indie-rock instrumentals. As Clarke explains, “I’m imagining it next to ‘Motion Sickness’ by Phoebe Bridgers on a playlist of dysfunctional relationship break-up bangers.”