"State Of Mind" is Laura Evans' debut album : British blues with country feeling

With her hooky single I’m Alright catching the attention of a swathe of Country-Blues aficionados, Welsh songstress Laura Evans has been turning heads and ears to her engaging presence for some time. Her recent guest slot on the Robert Jon & The Wreck U.K. tour garnered much praise with her setlist giving a sweet taste of what was to come on this record and State Of Mind doesn’t disappoint. 

Interestingly, her kooky, elfin looks translate to her voice in a not too dissimilar way as Stevie Nicks’ does. It’s the entrancing combination of emotional songcraft and strong performances on this standout debut album that’s headed up by her first single I’m Alright, the inspiration for which fell out of the sky on a plane journey, that reels in the receptive listener. This track’s message of strength and self-empowerment is a core theme that runs right through the grooves as both Solo and Fire With Fire expose a harder bluesy edge to Laura's emotional landscape. 

She’s accompanied throughout by record producer Josiah J Manning (Kris Barras Band) who plays all instruments in a consummate performance of musicianship. In fact, the interplay between these two opposite musical forces beautifully offsets each other’s contributions. For example, the simple but perfectly judged musical subtleties found on the balladlike Fool, with Manning’s tremolo guitar and Evans’ raw vocal, plus Let You Down Easy’s rootsy country ditty, that some might think crosses over into Sheryl Crow territory, ensures that pure quality shines through even in the quietest moments. 

In contrast, and as before, this alluring pair take the finely embroidered denim jacket of these country hued songs by the scruff of the neck as they rip and tear through the stomping, swampy blues rock of Drag Me Back In and the hell for leather powerhouse drive on this recording’s title track. Along with more musical gems to be unearthed, this debut solo statement is a promising starter from an artist for whom it’s worth keeping a close eye and ear out for.

Born and raised in South Wales, Laura Evans is becoming one of the UK’s most exciting singer-songwriters to hit the airwaves since Stevie Nicks. 

"State of Mind" is the long-awaited album from the Welsh singer songwriter who has had quite an astounding year, after the release of her debut E.P. in 2020, that saw her making her mark on the British music scene.