Fini Bearman’s fifth studio album, Last Night of the World, features ten original songs performed by the singer and songwriter in the company of some of the finest UK-based musicians. It’s a highly melodic recording, packed with memorable tunes, from the funky “Rise Up” to the beautiful melancholy of the title song.

Unlike many jazz and folk albums being produced today, with their emphasis on one-take, as live, recording, Last Night of the World took over two years to bring to fruition through a series of recording sessions, at various studios, between 2021 and 2023. The result, produced by Bearman and mixed by Robin Mullarkey, is a stylish record, the loss of the spontaneity of an “as live” recording balanced by the precision and clarity achieved over many months and, presumably, many sessions.

The core quartet of Bearman, whose multi-layered vocals are beautifully crafted, pianist and synth player Tom Cawley, bassist Mullarkey and drummer James Maddren is joined by a variety of guest musicians, all of whom make emphatic contributions. Saxophonist George Crowley adds to the funk of “Rise Up” with a powerful tenor solo. Violinist Alice Zawadzki and cellist Zosia Jagodzinska pair up on “Plz Call” and “WWEMA?,” which also features Gwilym Simcock on piano, and Gareth Lockrane plays a lyrical alto flute solo on “OKR.” Matt Calvert’s electric guitar and Al Cherry’s acoustic guitar feature on a total of six tracks, including the fast-paced “Stay Away From Me,” on which they appear together. Mullarkey plays acoustic guitar on the fluid and graceful title track, while Bearman contributes tenor guitar to “Rise Up” and “Mud.”

Bearman’s lyrics — often sung in a way that’s reminiscent of Joni Mitchell in her Court and Spark or Hissing of Summer Lawns period, a similarity shared by the music of some of the songs, notably “The Only One” — are downbeat, to say the least. There’s plenty of despair and regret, lots of pessimism, but very little, if any, sense of hope. “Violent Universe” is seemingly sung to a young child, telling them “No comfort left, What do we care about the stars? No comfort left, It’s a violent universe.” A taxi journey on the Old Kent Road, on “OKR,” is spent hoping the driver “Won’t turn and ask me why I’m not ok.” Even on the danceable “Rise Up” the lyrics tell of “Bloodshed on the parapet.” The closest Last Night of the World gets to positivity is probably in the closing lines to “Forgiveness”: “There will be a time, When darkness won’t overthrow, There will be a time, When darkness won’t overthrow you.” It can feel like an odd contrast at times, this combination of upbeat music and often downright downbeat words. However, the beauty of Bearman’s vocals, her heartfelt delivery, and some truly gorgeous melodies ensure that even hopelessness feels strangely uplifting.

from https://ukjazznews.com