Dawn Landes

In and around the five full length albums that American singer/songwriter Dawn Landes has released to date she’s threaded a series of EPs. Covers, little changes of pace, leftovers, almost like the working diary or background notes for the albums. This time she has released a set of songs inspired by becoming a mother; songs that speaking to the parenting experience and aim to soothe babies and toddlers, or at least their parents. But this isn’t just a kids album. Wouldn’t matter if it was of course, but there’s something so reassuring in Landes’ voice that even the most evert lullabies on the album (closing one-two, Baby Please and Hushabye) could be liked and listened to outside of any baby-tending context.

Okay, so My Tiny Twilight is just six songs – and 16 minutes in length – but it’s arranged cleverly to start with three upbeat (or daytime) songs and then transitioning to evening or early morning hours with the aforementioned lullabies and a song called I’m Wishing On A Star.

We start with Hello, bright and sunny and reminiscent of Norah Jones when she’s operating in vaguely country territory. Add a touch of Aimee Mann to the feel of it.

Then You’re My Baby rocks along on just handclaps to start with ahead of shaker and vocal percussion. It’s a great showcase for Landes’ voice and a proud declaration of love.

Everybody Dream might be the highlight – and is certainly the song that could sit on any of Landes’ full lengthers.

It’s a lovely wee EP – there aren’t many recording for kids or from the point of view of parents that could find an audience among the non-breeders but this is certainly one.
You can support Off The Tracks via PressPatron