The past near-decade has been nothing short of impressive for indie-sweetheart Phoebe Green. A surefire mainstay on the Manchester scene, Green has supported the likes of indie-rock troubadours The Courteeners, self-proclaimed “complicated woman” Self Esteem, and has found herself on the line-up of countless festivals. Her upcoming EP, ‘The Container’, available Friday 21st March, is only further testament to her undeniable talents.
Green’s extensive discography so far explores all corners of indie-pop, from the deep and gritty ‘Easy Peeler’, to up-beat electro infusions like ‘Crying In The Club’, and the heartfelt narratives of regret, ‘Sagittarius’. Where her debut album ’02:00 am’ featured more stripped-back ethereal soundscapes, 2022’s sophomore effort ‘Lucky Me’ championed euphoric lamentations, ferocious instrumentation and heavily affected vocals. With ‘The Container’, Phoebe Green’s next evolution only proves her efficacy as a musician.
‘The Container’ opens with ‘Rage Of A Kid’, an honest reflection on healing from past trauma and accepting the accompanying all-encompassing emotions. Soothing vocals lead the cut as Green ponders on fragility in this track that wouldn’t be misplaced on ’02:00 am’. We’re then slowly re-introduced into the textured effects found veined throughout ‘Lucky Me’, as staccato beats juxtapose soaring vocal croonings.
‘What Are You Doing’ offers an eerie opening before Phoebe’s instantly recognizable vocals admit, “I don’t miss you anymore”. She reflects on a past relationship while synths swirl, wrapping the cut up a euphoric and elating soundscape.
The first single released to tease the EP was ‘Precious Things’ – a wonderfully clamourous indie number that delves into the complexities of romantic entanglements and complete infatuation: “Every single second I find ways to idolise you”. Lyrically, this track is poetic and cleverly penned, filled with adoration and sweet offerings: “Just wanna plant the seed so I can water you and feed you”.
The title of ‘I Could Try To Change’ harks back to the repeated sentiment of “nothings changes if nothing changes” of ‘Crying In The Club’, off ‘Lucky Me’. Similar to its 2022 cousin, ‘I Could Try To Change’ champions dominant synths and offers a vocal performance akin to the impressive range of St. Vincent. This fourth track is where we also see the return of Green’s much-used sultry spoken word, adding an extra depth to the soaring pop offering.
Closing track ‘IV’ is a melancholy conclusion that features tender reflections and stripped-back vocals atop acoustic guitars and intermittent synths.
In all, ‘The Container’ is a lush synth exploration of vulnerability, healing and love, that cements Phoebe Green as one of the most exciting acts to emerge out of the North West in the last decade.
‘The Container’ will be released 21st of March via The Green Dream Machine and will be available on all streaming platforms.
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