There’s a quiet confidence to Polly Gibbons’ latest project, Songs With Strings. After the assured songwriting of As It Is, this new three-track release feels less like a reinvention and more like a natural expansion — a deepening of tone, texture and intent.

1. A move towards something more cinematic

Gibbons has always had a storyteller’s instinct, but here it’s framed differently. Each track is paired with a filmed performance, captured live in a studio setting, giving the music a visual counterpart that never distracts but subtly enhances the mood. It’s understated, but carefully judged.

2. The strings are integral, not decorative

The involvement of the Carducci String Quartet, alongside arrangements by James Pearson, is central to the record’s identity. These aren’t sweeping gestures for effect; the writing is restrained, often shadowing the vocal line or gently extending it. The result is a sound that feels both expansive and contained.

3. A more exposed performance style

There’s a noticeable shift in how Gibbons presents herself here. Performing at the piano, she leans into space and phrasing, allowing the songs to breathe. It brings a sense of immediacy — less about polish, more about presence.

4. Three songs, three distinct moods

“I Don’t Know Much At All” captures a kind of urban introspection, rooted in the anonymity of city living. “It’s You and Not Me” sharpens the emotional focus, dealing with imbalance and blame with a controlled intensity. The closing take on Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round In Circles” offers contrast — lighter on its feet, but still shaped by the project’s cohesive sound world.

5. A considered, staggered release

The EP is being released gradually, with each audio track followed by its accompanying video, allowing each piece space to land. It’s a simple idea, but one that suits the material — reflective, measured, and quietly self-assured.

You can follow the project here:
https://www.pollygibbons.com
https://www.instagram.com/pollygibbons
https://www.youtube.com/@pollygibbons
https://www.facebook.com/pollygibbonsmusic

Songs With Strings doesn’t overstate its ambitions. Instead, it draws you in — a small, finely crafted set of performances that rewards close listening.

Listen