There’s something unmistakably compelling about Carol Hodge. That much is clear from the opening moments of Effortless Insecurity, and it never lets go. She’s always had a haunting quality to her work, but this time it’s sharper, heavier – and perhaps more confrontational. “Do you want to go ten rounds with me, remove your gloves and then we’ll see,” she asks on “Manoeuvers.” It’s less a question and more a warning. Don’t cross her.
There’s an edge to this record that marks it out from her previous material. Effortless Insecurity leans more into rock than its predecessor, but still maintains her trademark cleverness – both lyrically and musically. “Gimme A Break” showcases that balance perfectly, full of biting observation and deft arrangement. “I’ll Do The Begging,” on the other hand, strips things back and lays everything bare.
“Small Crumbs” has a strident groove and adds to the rockier feel, but Carol Hodge still excels in the quieter moments. Nowhere is that more obvious than “The Queen Of Fitting In” – a stark piano ballad before it explodes into something much more intense. It’s one of the album’s highlights.
That unsettling, almost confessional tone runs deep. “Drowning Rocks” draws you into something deeply personal, matched by eerie guitar lines that echo the tension. That mood seeps into “Temporary Interlude” and “Last Day Pass” as well – the latter asking you to “pray it’s not your last day pass,” a lyric that hints at something far deeper beneath the surface.
She captures loneliness and emotional weight with painful accuracy. “Oversized Bag” tackles isolation with honesty, and the final track “Ever Reliable Pain” pulls no punches. “My ball and chain,” she sings – a line that’ll hit home for anyone who’s ever dealt with depression or anxiety.
And that’s what sets Carol Hodge apart. She takes those feelings, those moments we try to hide, and turns them into songs. Songs that hit hard, stay with you, and offer something close to catharsis. Effortless Insecurity is her fifth album and like some of the others, may be a tough listen at times, but it’s never less than absorbing. A brilliantly crafted, brutally honest collection.
Rating 8/10
