Live Review: Lydia Goldthorpe

The womb-like space behind Long Play is a gem of a find, and perfectly suited to the intimacy of Lydia Goldthorpe's music. Goldthorpe released her debut EP Simple Local recently, and this is the official launch of that release. A narrow walkway leads from the back of the tiny, elegant bar to this whisper of a room, which used to be used as a cinema.

We nudge cozily together across the bench seats, facing down towards the stage, where Goldthorpe faces the audience from behind her keyboard. Just a few, perfectly placed tea-light candles separate audience from performer. The five EP tracks form about half the show, Goldthorpe opening proceedings with Flood. Each track on the EP is associated with an emotion, this song with love. Immediately, her perfectly pitched soar of a voice commands the room. Can you hear a communal pause of breath? Goldthorpe has been trained as a singer from birth and it shows. The songs are emotionally charged, and her gently told stories give a welcome insight into where these gorgeously crafted songs have emerged from. White Walls (embrace) was inspired by the crashing of waves and really conveys that energy. Dancing With Myself (escape) was a transformative composition that came from a constrictive trip on London's tube and is the bounciest, most joyful track of Goldthorpe's set. Secret Sculptures Go was Goldthorpe's debut single, and, live, is nothing short of magical — a song about releasing those things that hold you back — and Goldthorpe's voice soars perfectly, hitting incredible notes you rarely hear. She has studied jazz and classical piano and these skills are infused through her strong pop sensibility. Goldthorpe finishes her set off with Do Great Things (search) and it feels prophetic.