With her new rhymes, Scottish lyricist Alice Betteridge brings fresh modernity to an old genre. Her latest album, ‘Rhymer’, blends traditional Scottish ballads with futuristic electronic production. The resulting songs tell age-old stories of romance and adventure with a unique freshness and sci-fi twist.
Alice has been writing poetry and other literature since she was a child. But it wasn’t until she met some like-minded producers that she was able to find a musical home for her words. At the helm of her album is Amoeba, a London-based experimental electronic producer. With her, Alice takes the traditional roots of Scottish ballads and reworks them with a modern, eclectic soundscape.
The result is that ‘Rhymer’ is a genre-crossing triumph. From time to time, it feels like you’re listening to a fairy tale from the Middle Ages, with their fantastical themes of rat-dancing elves and faraway lands. Except it’s been set in the future, with sparkling production, pop-infused melodies and Alice’s emotive vocals that add warmth and humanity to the alien landscapes.
The fusion of old and new in ‘Rhymer’ is nothing short of magical. With its raucous Elven party anthems, lucent love songs and modern-style narrations, this album is a testament to Alice’s innovation and progressiveness. It further proves that Scottish ballads are a medium that, when done justice by such imaginative minds, can take on new life and captivate audiences in completely new ways.
‘Rhymer’ is an astonishingly enjoyable listening experience that melds the tales of old with modern, relevant themes. Alice Betteridge has proven she’s not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of her genre, and the rewards pay off – big time. This album is a wonder, mysterious, entertaining and utterly unique.