Reviews

20/6/2025

A new review of our EP 'Footsteps' by Americana UK from their AUK’s Monthly EP Round-Up – June 2025.  Many thanks to Americana Uk and Graeme Tait for the review.

“Footsteps” is a delightful four-track debut EP from the Yorkshire-based duo silkandcustard that comprises Chris Pemberton on guitar and vocals, and Siân Powell on lead vocals. The duo has been performing together for approximately nine years, and the four tracks on offer here span their musical career, some older, some newer. Musically, they draw from a relatively broad palette with shades of folk, blues, jazz, and country all permeating through a sound that at different times bears similarities to The Civil Wars, Richard and Linda Thompson, and, in particular, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. The opening song, ‘Quicksand’, immediately sets the tone, a lyrically dark and atmospheric tale of lost love, a theme that continues within the slightly more folk-influenced ‘I Don’t Wanna Talk’. The duo’s harmonies throughout are quite exquisite, while the sparse arrangement allows the songs to breathe, enabling the melancholic bittersweetness of the narratives to sit front and centre, hypnotically drawing the listener in close. There is much to enjoy on this very promising debut EP from silkandcustard, which hopefully will act as a stepping stone for their career and future recordings. 

Graeme Tait.

https://americana-uk.com/auks-monthly-ep-round-up-june-2025

2/6/2025

Our first publicised review is in. A big thank you to Neil King, Tim Martin and all involved at Fatea Magazine for the review of our debut EP, 'Footsteps', some very kind words, and it is affirming to know that we are on the right track.

Please check FATEA out via Facebook or website. For reviews of all kinds, music, live shows, etc. Their passion for music is incomparable.

Review of 'Footsteps' EP from FATEA Magazine (Link above or read below)

Silkandcustard (yes, it's one word) are a contemporary folk duo based in Yorkshire. This is their debut EP. Recorded much better than many first attempts with the voices right up against your ear, on the first song Quicksand, and just acoustic guitar, before a middle section where strings and a spikey electric guitar join in to add to the sense of unease in the words which they describe as "a bittersweet song of loss and longing for an unending better understanding love.". "Don't let it turn to quicksand and swallow me whole." The Xylophone chimes at the end are a particularly effective touch.

I Don't Wanna Talk continues the theme with a song of "loss of a love through lack of understanding of ones needs." Simpler in construction just voices and guitars. 'Fade To Grey is a "raw break up ode to heartache and ultimate self-doubt." They have built a slightly discordant soundscape for this song, which once again underlines the heart wrenching lyric. The electric guitar chords, and big drums are especially effective.

Final song, Trace of You, is an acoustic piece, musing on the passing of time. The brief guitar solo suggests that there are depths to their music that they haven't explored fully on this EP. The sea sounds as the song close is another unexpected, but interesting touch.

Their website invites comparisons to The Civil Wars, and Richard and Linda Thompson. While they have a way with a melancholy song, you have to hope their lives are not as fractious as those artists. With this debut EP we may well have found a new favourite duo. Hopefully, they have EP number two, or preferably a full album in the works as this is a great start, and more music from Silkandcustard soon would be very welcome.

Tim Martin

https://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews/Silkandcustard/

More 'Footsteps' EP reviews;

"...I've had the EP on repeat. Absolutely love it..." Gary, Malin Hill

"...Beautiful songs, beautifully played and really nicely recorded...excellent!" Mike Holland, International Artist

"Quicksand : A bittersweet song of loss and longing for an unending better understanding love.

I don't wanna talk: Loss of a love through lack of understanding of ones needs...disconnect with no empathy. Sadness prevails.

Fade to grey: Raw break up ode to heartache and ultimate self doubt. Was it the right thing to do? haunts endlessly.

Trace of you: A killer ...the passing of time and tide (waits for no man!!!) it erases and changes lives perceptions is how this song connects to the human soul. 

Brilliant 5 Stars Jeff Lomas

"Bringing subtle yet complex original music encompassing emphatic solitude, love, longing and loss."

"Beautiful enchanting harmonies with catchy melodies that entice the listener through raw dynamics."

"Beautiful harmonies." "Breathtaking, gives me goosebumps every time I see these guys."

 "Reminiscent of The Civil Wars." "Think along the lines of Richard and Linda Thompson."

 "Brings Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings to mind"