With its deep, soulful hues with jazzy character, Atlantic is a sterling four-song EP from Boston-based musician Jen Kearney. Inspired by her time living in London, Kearney explains: “It’s a personal snapshot of the last few years looking deep within, but also observing what’s on the surface of society. Living in two countries, with completely different rhythms of life over the last few years, influenced me for sure. I pushed myself out of some comfort zones.” On first listen, the bright and lush production on ‘The Magician’ masks a deceptively dark lyric about exploitation and ageism. The brassy swagger of ‘In the Neighbourhood’ carries a poignant message about how gentrification has made cities unrecognisable. ‘Spinning’ is a swirling ballad, with singing guitar work by Jason Yost, about an incompatible romance. Atlantic closes with ‘Writing on Water’, a poetic reflection on the losses of the pandemic but one which is tempered with hope (‘We may be distant, baby / We can still be light / So please keep your light on‘). Kearney’s warm, agile voice adds extra weight to her lyrics.