Released on 13/05/2002
Label: Source

Gemma Hayes' place in the fickle world we call the mainstream is (hopefully) guaranteed for two simple reasons - she's female and she's young. While America has been churning out female singer-songwriters for fun, we've had to put up with them and their sloppy sentiments. Cheers.

So that's why we should celebrate the emergence of Gemma Hayes for her intelligently crafted, deeply personal, and truly enveloping songs. There's more than a touch of Beth Orton or Tanya Donnelly's melodic rock-chick persona here that suits Hayes just as well as her accustomed folk-pop acoustic position.

'Hanging Around' paints vivid images of ashtrays overflowing, mornings after, records scattered across the floor, anxious looks and fragile 2am traumas.

File under classic.

    by Chris Heath