Taking into account her commercial past, Kathryn Williams today seems astonishingly free of industry wear and tear. Indeed, having seen her live recently and been taken by her completely unaffected demeanour, I'm a little astonished to be reminded about that infamous Mercury Music Prize nomination.
Why would the selectors have done such a thing to such an unassuming and, on the surface, unremarkable girl? What could the talking points have been? Was her father on the panel? The truth might be that Williams had more of an "edge" back then. But whatever that was, I think I like this better.
Hollow is a serenely spaced-out piano and acoustic guitar paean to a lover that wrenches the heart on a dark autumn night. Truly revolutionary in the most humble ways, the things that shine through it are Williams' sheer good nature and honesty.
Hollow is not going to get cats dancing or industry insiders talking bullshit all night, but it might just make you cry. A woman of vintage soul and moral fibre, Williams is a truly unsung hero in the real world.
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