Lovely Love ft. Countryside Studios – E.G. Holmes & Willow Layne (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

The coming together of songwriters E.G. Holmes and Lisa Benedetto is the most natural pairing in the world. Holmes has already proven his ability to create subtle and supple sonic worlds, whether it is the delicate, synth-infused soundscape of “Pieces That Lay Broken” or the smooth and succulent reggae tones of “Hearts in a Prison.” Benedetto, demonstrably, employs emotive and expressive techniques as a songwriter and storyteller, as songs such as “Sweet Child of Mine” clearly show.

And, despite what might seem like a light and whimsical title, this duet between E.G. Holmes & Willow Layne is something much more profound and purposeful, deeper and defined. A celebration of love at its most rewarding, this is a country ballad that combines both lyrical richness and sonic sophistication.

In this declaration of how the right partner has the power to make you a better person, a key to unlocking your inner potential, there is an excellent layering of vocals, with the male narrator pouring his heart out and the female recipient echoing those sentiments.

Musically, it is full of both space and clever sonic threads. The spaciousness provides the room to let everything breathe, for the light to get in, for atmospheres to pool and percolate, and become more than the sum of their parts. The music, thus framed and finessed, serves the song succinctly.

And that, of course, of the art of such a collaboration, between the singers and the songwriters, the musicians and the production team found on “Lovely Love”, there is a wealth of talent, but also the experience to know that less is indeed more and it is the song, and only the song, that counts.

So, as gentle beats power “Lovely Love” through deft guitar work, as delicate fiddles flit fleetingly through, and the vocals merge into banks of heartfelt and harmonious expression, the perfect balances are struck.

We have met E.G. Holmes, Willow Layne, and Lisa Benedetto before, but I think it is fair to say that “Lovely Love” marks a particular high point for all concerned.