Second album from acclaimed Shropshire-based indie-folk singer/songwriter Jessie Reid. Little Sparks takes an ethereal journey into the darkness, and emerges having found beauty and contentment.
FORGING A REPUTATION
Shropshire-based indie-folk singer/songwriter Jessie Reid is busy forging an enviable reputation for herself. She released her debut album, Whole Heart, in 2023 and, so far, she’s amassed over 10 million streams. She’s also garnered support in several influential quarters, including from Chris Hawkins, Tom Robinson and Emily Philbeam on BBC Radio 6 Music.
She’s attracting attention as a live performer, too. 2024 appearances at Glastonbury and Camp Bestival were followed, in 2025, by well-received sets at Fuse Fest, Kendal Calling, Found Festival, Between the Trees and Moseley Folk. 2026 is gearing up to be another busy year, starting with an 11-date UK tour scheduled to run throughout February.
LITTLE SPARKS – FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS THEM
Jessie’s sophomore offering, Little Sparks, is an album about finding hope in the darkness, living and loving again and seeing beauty, even in sadness. It’s an ethereal affair, with the focus very much upon Jessie’s contemplative lyrics and her soft, intimate, multi-tracked harmony vocals. Instrumentation is subtle and wisely selected. Jessie’s guitar isaccompanied variously by light touches of synth, piano, violin, cello and soft, soft percussion. Listening to Little Sparks is a dreamlike experience.
Speaking about the album, Jessie says: “These songs stress the importance of noticing the small things that give us meaning, even when life feels heavy. Some of the songs are soft and personal, whilst others wrestle with darker feelings. Sitting somewhere in between are songs about struggle, but also about staying strong and holding on. I’d like to think that the title track, Little Sparks, ties it all together. The idea that, even in the midst of the mundane, we can find little sparks of light worth chasing and holding on to. It feels honest, and I hope that these songs can be little sparks for anyone who needs them.”
BEING LET IN ON A SECRET…
And it’s that binding title track that gets Little Sparks – the album – up and running. The ghostly tones of Harley Eblen’s cello provide the introduction to Jessie’s wispy vocals. There’s a sense of vulnerability to her voice. A sense that is, somehow, magnified by her self-provided backing vocals, but a feeling of urgency creeps in as Jessie sings the “All we love was just enough…” refrain.
Jessie’s multi-tracked harmony vocals are front and centre for the simmering Let your Love Run Cold. Fingerpicked guitar tracks the song’s progress and things warm up nicely as Joey Walker adds a few discrete synth parts. The overwhelming impression is that we, the listeners, are being let in on some kind of well-guarded secret.
Jessie switches to steel-strung guitar for the excellent Against The Tide, and her presence is raised accordingly. Joseph Futak’s assorted keyboards flesh out the sound but this song is, above all else, about Jessie’s layered vocals which are quite exceptional. It’s a dreamy song, that conveys a sense of fulfillment as Jessie reaches her conclusion: “Is this real life, or am I falling apart?”
A DISCRETE MAGIC
The proceedings almost (but don’t quite…) take off in a rocky direction for the dynamic Cracks Forming. Joseph Futak’s percussion has a real presence, but it’s definitely Jessie who remains in overall control. She almost spits out lyrics like: “How did we get here, darlin’ if all you wanna do is shout?” We, the listeners, are forced to reconsider our first impressions. This is no vulnerable young girl that we’re dealing with here…
Perhaps the tenderest song on the album, Your Story is another gem. Jessie’s voice is lowered almost to a whisper, as strummed acoustic guitar and Essa Flett’s light fiddle strokes provide a similarly pared-back accompaniment. Jessie’s vocal harmonies are warm and comforting and that’s an impression that carries over to The Devil Calls. It’s as light as air and, behind those vocals, Jessie’s guitars and Joseph’s piano weave their discrete magic.
Jessie’s vocals are equally striking on the warm, pastoral, Beauty In Sadness. Splashes of electric guitar and violin add a nice sparkle as Jessie assures us that: “We’ll find comfort in the chaos.” And she’s right. Comfort is exactly what we do find. Beauty In Sadness is a true album highlight, and so is the jazzy Daisy. Lyrics that recall nefarious goings-on in pre-prohibition New York are accompanied by a tasty mélange of guitars, violin and percussion. And Jessie’s high-pitched vocals sound as though they’re bridging the 100-year gap between then and now.
AN ABSORBING LISTENING EXPERIENCE
With fingerpicked guitar and pattering percussion, Every Stranger is, possibly, the most straight-ahead folk song on the album. Jessie’s vocal tones shift interestingly as she sings her observational lyrics, giving a distinct impression that she’s playing multiple roles in some dramatic production.
To conclude, Jessie’s vocals sound as ghostly as the title to closing track Calling On Your Ghost. But, with lyrics like: “And we’ll still be holding on, ‘coz our hearts beat as one. We’ll still love anyway, ‘coz our hearts beat the same,” the message is one of hope and reassurance. And, whilst Jessie is delivering that message, a jazzy mix of sounds – synth, percussion, piano and electric guitar – complete an absorbing listening experience.
Little Sparks is an engaging album and there’s an imminent opportunity to hear these songs live, as Jessie takes them on the road during February. Details of her tour itinerary are shown below. Tickets for shows can be purchased here.
Listen to Little Sparks – the album’s title track – below:
Jessie Reid: Facebook