Graduating from Cambridge? Recording your debut album in a shed? Unashamedly touring with Gary Jules and Jamie Cullum? POLLY PAULUSMA has done all these and come out looking horrendously cool despite of it. In "Scissors In My Pocket" she's also released an album rich in attractive, resonant folky-pop that would make a quiet mark no matter when it was released.
Dammit. Talented or what?
"Give It Back" is one of the more energetically spunky blasts from "Scissors...." and, unsurprisingly, swims without a rubber ring when left to paddle in harsher commercial waters. The predominantly acoustic framework actually builds up a punky head of steam and it's a joyous, clapalong affair utilising the odd blast of brass, despite some cautiously philosphical lyrics and a chorus that runs: "I've been living for tomorrow, forgot to live today, this sweet life is only borrowed, got to give it back someday." Can't argue with that, really. Wise girl, our Pol.
Typically, she's got magic in reserve for the flipsides, too. I'm not entirely sure if "Two Stars" refers to purely unwanted pregnancy or potential abortion ("It got trapped within, under sinews and skin, and it's growing every day"), but it's all too short and extremely affecting, whatever the deal is. The closing "Leave Your Keys," meanwhile, is Polly calling time on an affair in sparse, Sandy Denny fashion, with lovely breathy vocals mouthing detrmination such as "I came to you in silence, I left on a crowded train." There's no going back this time, it seems is the bottom line. It's not too much to say both are far too good to be mere B-sides, but then all the best people have the confidence to make such rash gestures and Polly Paulusma is someone who clearly knows she can continue to come up with the goods.
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