Laura-Mary Carter, who many readers will know from being on half of Blood Red Shoes, steps out on her own with her debut solo release Bye Bye Jackie. An album full of honesty, confessions, quirky moments and that has a real unique feel and sound to it. It’s an album that’s in doubt authentically her.
The opener Sometimes I Fail throws you right into it, showing off that mix of vulnerability and wry humour that runs through the whole record. It’s right into her beautiful vocals and pure honesty. It also has a lot of layering going on that gives it a funky groovy feel. We then move onto her slightly more up-tempo latest release Four Letter Words. There’s a restless, almost playful energy to it. The almost conversational tone and how she enunciates every word really makes you feel like you’re being spoken directly to.
For me, the most interesting thing about Bye Bye Jackie is the way Laura-Mary balances sadness with an almost protective layer of humour. One of my favourites “I’ll laugh about it (in good time)” is as beautiful as it is honest. It’s full of building instrumental moments and the vocals feel so dreamy. In contrast tracks like “Keep Sweet” (another favourite) might come across deceptively bright on the surface but says a lot more when you lean into the lyrics. Elvis Widow is a big emotional centrepiece, a song that feels extremely personal but written in such a way that you can help but admire it. Comparisons such as the “ghost of you on my pillow” line captures that strange mix of heartbreak and haunting memory in such a vivid way. There’s also something tender but tragic about calling yourself a “faithful Elvis widow,” like holding onto someone who’s long gone but still shaping your life.
Later tracks like Comets and Who Are You Foolin’ lean into a fuller sound, with layered vocals and guitars that add a bit of weight before things wrap up. The closer Bye Bye Jackie is a fitting send-off, reflective, a little sarcastic, and short and sweet. Not many albums end with a track like this so fair play on the brave move!
What really makes this record work is how amazingly unique Laura-Mary is. Her vocals alone are enough to make her stand out in a crowded space. That mixed with the fact she’s not hiding behind polished or overproduction makes everything feel much more honest. She sings these songs like someone telling you the story over a late-night drink, half laughing at herself, half still stung by it all. That kind of openness makes the album feel alive and relatable.
Bye Bye Jackie is a strong debut that shows Laura-Mary Carter isn’t afraid to make something honest and completely her own. It’s witty, emotional, and unpretentious and for me, that’s exactly what makes it worth listening to.
Tracklist – Bye Bye Jackie
Sometimes I Fail
Four Letter Words
Keep Sweet
June Gloom
I’ll Laugh About It (In Good Time)
Tell Me You’re Sorry
Elvis Widow
Interlude
Comets
Who Are You Foolin’
Bye Bye Jackie
‘Bye Bye Jackie’ scorse its self an 8 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography