It reached #12 in the Official Folk Albums Chart upon release. Recorded in London’s Urchin Studios and featuring prominent players Giacomo Smith (clarinet), Max Clilverd (pedal steel), Tom Mason (double bass) and Matt Ingram (drums, synth). What Love Is evokes the spirit of Joni Mitchell’s finest later works, always honouring without emulating.
Lyrically mature and at times pastoral; the album is melodically sophisticated and unflinchingly honest. She moves effortlessly from wide open jazz-tinged soundscapes, influenced by Pharoah Sanders and John Abercrombie, through to the folk baroque fingerpicking style that her fans admire her for.
Her singing is powerful yet warm, true and pristine in delivery. The musicianship throughout the record feels liberated by Katie’s innovation and confidence, and the result is a master-class of inspired and beautiful-sounding craftmanship.
“Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs and is the backbone to her music.” Guitarist Magazine
“Fresh as a sweet Sunday morning” MOJO ★★★★
“A fine singer-songwriter, and an excellent guitarist” Songlines ★★★★
“A master-class of inspired and beautifully-sounding craftsmanship” KLOF
“One of the most distinctive voices in folk music” Folk London
“What Love Is is a triumph. Katie deploys her signature vocal vibrato to devastating effect” At The Barrier
“She is, without doubt, one of the great writers” FATEA
“Sung with poise and quiet confidence … captivating and heartfelt” Americana UK
