Bess Atwell - “Swimming Pool”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Nilufer Yanya, Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood

Bess Atwell’s textured, dynamic take on melancholy pop/rock evolves quiet, folk-based sounds to a bubbling passion. Her latest release is 2019 EP Big Blue, a warm five-song collection broadened with some cinematic beauty and minimal chillwave space. There’s an echoing quality to the guitar and synth lines that encompass Atwell’s generally low-register music, a canyon that suits the Brighton, UK singer-songwriter’s equally low, rich alto vocal perfectly. While moody in its composition, Atwell music isn’t outright sad, rather it is more dreamy but within a beach-ready atmosphere. Slow, building drama highlights singles “Cherry Baby” and “Swimming Pools”, budding numbers understated in tone but full of emotional resonance. She does have another 2016 full-length debut (Hold Your Mind) that vibes in a similar vein, but it’s good to see Atwell break out of some of the alt country constraints that ground her first release. SXSW will be Bess Atwell’s first Stateside trip, an early chance to see an artist that already sounds wholly established coming off of Big Blue. (Kevin McStravick)