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Freya Ridings’ third studio album, ‘Mother of Pearl’, is a combination of flawless vocals sandwiched between themes of resilience and resurrection. Ridings’ job with this eleven-track journey seems to be digging to the depths of honesty. The collection of songs viscerally explores the image of the ocean and its unpredictable attitudes; the sea can be calm and glass-like or roaring through a spontaneous storm. Throughout ‘Mother of Pearl’, Ridings begins at the bottom of the ocean and ascends to the surface for a steady gasp of air.

‘Euphoria’ opens the album with a bang, narrating a powerful and rebellious attitude that comes after life’s trials and tribulations — it is catchy, soulful, and has you immediately hooked, similar to many songs on the tracklist. The UK-born singer-songwriter continues on the journey of rebirth and risk-taking in the album’s single, ‘I Have Always Loved You’. This standout track was written alongside friend and songwriter Toby Gadd, collaborating brutal truths and Ridings’ soulful vocals, to create “the greatest love story of all time”. The song tells the story of mistakes made in a past relationship, which eventually led to the ultimate decision that love conquers all. Forgiving is necessary, and forgetting is ignorance. “You said that life’s too short to live without the one you’re meant to be with.”

The album ends with ‘Strength In Me’, using flawless vocals to drive this powerful anthem to an explosive bridge. It uses a choir-like collection of backing vocals to reiterate, “you don’t know the strength in me, you don’t know the things I’ve seen”, leaving listeners with nothing short of a clearer and more powerful overall message: what does not kill you makes you stronger.

‘Mother Of Pearl’ is more diverse than any of Ridings’ previous albums, levelling up the overall instrumentation, harmonies and songwriting. The industry expects the continuation of ballads and heartbreak, but Ridings gives more than ever. She puts on her armour for battle, vocally reminding listeners at times of Florence Welch and Paris Paloma whilst thematically exploring female rage, empowerment and rebellion. To continue the title metaphor, Ridings nestles stably and steadily at the bottom of the ocean, re-birthed after her experiences in the world. Her shell is scraped and bruised from the chaos that surrounds her, but luckily for the listener, it is unlocked, and she is swimming to the surface to breathe.

01. Freya Ridings - Euphoria.wav
02. Freya Ridings - Wild Horse.wav
03. Freya Ridings - I Have Always Loved You.wav
04. Freya Ridings - Dancing In The Kitchen.wav
05. Freya Ridings - Undefeated.wav
06. Freya Ridings - R U O K.wav
07. Freya Ridings - Battleship.wav
08. Freya Ridings - Wicker Woman.wav
09. Freya Ridings - Mother Of Pearl.wav
10. Freya Ridings - If This Is A Dream.wav
11. Freya Ridings - Strength In Me.wav