There’s a rare alchemy at work in vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fini Bearman’s fifth studio album, a collection that transforms the specific landscape of South London into a universal exploration of human emotion and collective experience.

The album roars into life with an immediate sense of urgency, the angular melodic line and harmonic surprises of ‘Rise Up’ presenting a gritty portrayal of collective resistance. Whether it’s the delicate finger-picked guitar and beatific backing vocal harmonies of the title track – a gorgeous threnody to the earth’s curtain call – or the groove-laden ‘OKR’ featuring a pitch-perfect flute solo from Gareth Lockrane, Bearman demonstrates an extraordinary range of musical invention.

Each song is meticulously crafted, moving between moments of intimate vulnerability and sweeping energy. The haunting ‘Plz Call’ explores longing through looping phrases that suggest an emotional landscape forever on the brink of resolution, while ‘WWEMA’ transforms dramatically from its pure a cappella opening to an impressively vast wall of sound.

Most striking is Bearman’s ability to capture complex emotional states, from the existential wonder of the ecstatic, synth-drenched chorus of ‘Violent Universe’ to the sense of oceanic acceptance provided by the closing ‘Forgiveness’. Backed by a world-class band, this is an exceptional, unforgettable and profoundly beautiful collection of songs.