Singer-songwriter Grace Carter’s break was placing third on the BBC’s Sound of 2019 list. Alongside her were alt-popper King Princess, Catalan sensation Rosalía – now blossoming into a global star – and rappers Octavian and Slowthai, whose careers stalled over abuse allegations. Yet while those four released nine albums between them after the shortlist, this is Carter’s first project since 2018. Perhaps the Londoner is a victim of her tendency to overthink, as she suggests here. But we can’t discount the UK music industry’s longstanding inability to develop black British female acts making R&B or soul. Either way, A Little Lost, A Little Found is worth any wait.
Many of Carter’s earlier singles were heart-tugging disquisitions on identity and family, and while Tired of Trying to Be Anyone Else stays in that lane, the rest of this EP is ambitious, sophisticated work that carves out her own sound. Seductive rhythms, piano, multitracked vocals and strings are Carter’s favourite weapons, cleverly intertwined with her clear, affecting voice. Bloodwar, written in her teens about growing up without one half of her family, and Hope’s gentle self-interrogation, are highlights, but there are at least five excellent songs here. More soon, please.
