If it was the New Year I would be making a New Year’s resolution. Okay, I usually blow these well intentioned promises within a couple of days or some in cases I have even had to make grovelling excuses after just a few minutes. However, this New Year’s resolution (made in October) is one that I shall do my damnedest to keep.

This year I will do my best to see Australia’s Chloe Hall in concert. However, having just visited her website I found her musical diary of her recent dates in nearby Paris. I quickly realize that once again I have probably blown it. In fact, she has just toured the U.K., Ireland, Canada and a host of other places, and guess what? Yes, I missed the lot. If only I had heard her new album Outside earlier.

Chloe is a busy lady taking her beautifully engaging, gentle, and poetic folk style through a diary crammed full of engagements. As a result the word is spreading and she has built up a worldwide fan-base as more and more people get tuned into her exceptional song-writing, charismatic nature, and delightful music.

There is a joyously refreshing honesty to her well written songs. Her outlook is both mature and yet vulnerable, worldly-wise but never world weary, emotional but not gushy. It is a fine balance that makes her music both engaging and intriguing. She has the ability to paint potent scenes within a few lines that are delivered with a gentle sensitivity.

Her last album White Street heralded something of a breakthrough. Now the highly talented Chloe has served up another treat with Outside, her latest release, a nicely presented collection of ten original songs that underline just why her music has been used on Australian television, and the soundtrack to the film The Caterpillar Wish.

You only really need to listen to the first few tracks to begin to appreciate the strength of her song writing. The album opens with the title track, a song that is guaranteed to get under the skin of any lovers of acoustic music. Her ability to create a scene within a few lines is also immediately apparent as the song gently unfolds.

There are occasional shades of Joni Mitchell, and I mean that as a high compliment, but even stronger elements of an inspired songstress in her own right.

“Shipwreck” has Chloe asking, “Are you the rose or the thorn? Are you the teacup or the storm? Are you the one worth waiting for? Are you the shipwreck or the shore?” The memorable “I’m Still Here”, a beautiful “Dance With Me”, and an infectious “It’s Not Too Late” all maintain the undoubted quality on offer.

Throughout Outside Chloe delves further into that golden seem of creativity and as a result the album is a consistent, nicely produced excursion through her music. Further highlights include the beautifully painted “Walking After Midnight”. Meanwhile, “Nothing Really Matters” would have done Woodstock proud and arrives with Beatlesque orchestration.

“I Won’t Let You Down” sums up exactly what Chloe has achieved here with a solidly impressive set, delivered with her now familiar vocal strength that leaves you wanting more. The wonderful “Born In The Morning” is music to watch the shapes in the clouds as you fly away to some sunny place.

If any of the above rings your bell then you really shouldn’t miss out on Chloe Hall. Please have a listen by visiting her official website.

Jeff Perkins, Blogcritics
http://blogcritics.org”