There’s something quietly disarming about ‘Mud Blood Bone’ from its very first moments. The album opener is a soaring release with stunning vocals, built on a slow intro that gives us the time to properly sink into the warm folk, storytelling sound of Cat Clyde.
‘Man’s World’ shifts gears with a filthy blues rock riff and a bass-driven backbone, softened just enough by Clyde’s vocals and those strong, layered harmonies that really drive home its message. There’s a transportive quality, I felt pulled back to 1960s America, listening to a roadside busker sharing their perspective, guitar in hand, voice cutting through the noise with a message to share. ‘Wild One’ strips things back into something softer, already revealing another side to her musical prowess, while ‘Dark Back’ leans into a ballad-esque space. It’s a subtle pivot, less in your face, more refined, letting her stunning voice take centre stage on a smaller yet equally powerful platform.
A touch of colour, a hint of jazz, creeps into ‘Hold My Hand’, adding a new texture to the palette. Then ‘I Am Now’ arrives, theatrical and piano-driven, almost cinematic in its delivery. ‘My Love’ stands out with some of the album’s most affecting lyrics, exploring a love for the natural, over someone who might change in the blink of an eye. There’s something deeply visual in the way she paints these soundscapes; you don’t just hear them, you see them, and before long you’re adoring them right alongside her.
‘Wanna Ride’ scratches that itch for a fast-paced rock’n’roll moment, bursting forward as the perfect road trip soundtrack with its punching sound and dynamic shifts. ‘Night Eyes’ offers a welcome soft breather, a moment to recalibrate, before ‘Press Down’ pulled me back into those driving, high-energy rock’n’roll vibes. Closing track ‘Another Time’ slows things down again, leaning into a bluesy, bass-driven sound that feels both reflective and resolute. What ‘Mud Blood Bone’ does so well is showcase Cat Clyde from every possible angle. Folk, blues, jazz, rock, it’s all here. This is an artist shaping her own space, and the result is something refreshing, cohesive, and quietly addictive. A genuine breath of fresh air.
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