Music is a reflection of a person’s soul and it’s what makes this art form so powerful and relatable. When the artist is pouring their feelings into a song it can make a lasting impression on the listener. It can be something to lean on when a loved one’s shoulder isn’t around and it has the ability to get someone out of the rut they’re in. Amii Dawes from Northampton, England harnesses the power of music in a way that resonates a unique indie pop style. Her Neck Verses EP that came out via the Cranston based record label Pitch & Prose on February 25 exemplifies this approach and result.

Dawes has been writing and performing music around the United Kingdom and Europe for over a decade and her exquisite voice makes her songs stand out. It’s not overly operatic while exuding harmony in a way that isn’t overbearing. Her voice naturally finds a balance and it’s a quality I find to be very pleasant. She also is a multi-instrumentalist as well with her talents being conveyed via her skills on guitar and piano. Both instruments have a presence in her EP in a purely organic way.

What I enjoy about this record is the genuine strength behind the music. A lot of emotion-filled music can be whiny or just depressing with Dawes being the antithesis through her resilient and triumphant tone. There’s a vibe of perseverance and overcoming the internal strife that comes from heartbreak, unfortunate circumstances and whatever else life can throw someone’s way. It’s very refreshing and it’s a different take on music that sparks a sensation while having a lot of heart. It’s a great array of songwriting with a lot of substance backing up each track.

There’s a really interesting beat anchoring “Neck Verse” while the chorus shines with harmony. Dawes’ arrangements on piano play a major part in “Uninspired Part II (I Don’t Feel Okay)” as a rock solid drum beat makes its presence in the background. “Powdered Dreams” has the guitar coming in with steady chords and then the piano returns to create a subtle dynamic. The most inventive song on the record is “Russian Roulette” due to how it has a carnival aesthetic to it and it also has a certain macabre quality. Concluding the EP is “A Thank You Note”, a genuine ballad that serves as the epitome of the record’s overall theme.

Dawes has a show coming up and it’s at the Moustache Bar in the Dalston area of East London on March 20. Unless you’re going to cross the Atlantic to vacation in England, then you’re pretty much not going to be able to make the show. Let’s hope she flies over to these parts some day so she can be part of one of Pitch & Prose’s showcases they’ve been putting on at Dusk on 301 Harris Avenue in Providence. Until that day comes, stream and purchase a copy of the Neck Verses EP via Pitch & Prose’s Bandcamp page at pitchandprose.bandcamp.com. To follow Dawes on social media, like her Facebook page at facebook.com/amiidawesmusic, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/amii_dawes and follow her on Instagram at instagram.com/amii_dawes.