SilhouetteShauna Tohill, better known as Silhouette, has finally pieced together her much-anticipated début EP entitled ‘Can’t Keep Up.’ Following outstanding feedback for her début single of the same title – the featured track from Discover Northern Ireland’s TV campaign, expectations are high for Shauna and her band from Magherafelt, Londonderry.

Due for release at the end of May, Tohill is aided by a circle of musicians and like-minded artists; generating a strong and polished vision.  The EP launches into a refurbished version of the track she is most associated with, Can’t Keep Up.

Triumphant brass and intricate strings are prevalent in place of choppy guitars; paired alongside a darker tempo than the original (also on the EP as a bonus track) and at times, a syncopated vocal from Trohill. This pays homage to the original with some teasers of what is to come from the multi-instrumentalist and is an interesting and welcome rethink of the song. Ultimately, the hooks just can’t be argued with.

A racing chorus cracks the whip at the beginning of Toss It Up before nestling gently into a verse that displays real ability. Trohill’s voice is entirely at home, deploying a variety of styles and jarring them together with her name scrolled on the lid.

Acoustic track Put The Silence On Hold takes the softer route to the listeners’ hearts, and Trohill delivers a gem of a pop song resembling the mood of many teenage girls across the globe in the process. She claims her focus is to “inspire, touch and mend the hearts” of those who listen; how very typical – a cynic would agree. But, the production quality is immense and the song possesses the ability to rumble hindsight.

Running Against The Wall is an builds tension and hits the mark with the combined  rawness of the guitar and piano. Electronic beats incorporate a fresh rhythm and it becomes increasingly clear that Trohill is just as accurate with the darker side of writing as she is with the light.  The climax at the song’s is difficult to absorb yet fascinating to the ear.

Easily one of the most Shazamed acts our isle has produced, Silhouette looks set to build on her initial success with a quality début EP and affirm herself as one of Ireland’s leading talents. Watch this space.