Review

By Hannah Alcock | 29/06/2026

Across five tracks, Charlotte MacInnes trades in elemental imagery, towering emotion and widescreen production to craft a debut that feels as cinematic as it is deeply personal. Drawing on the theatrical grandeur of Florence + The Machine, the poetic introspection of Joni Mitchell and the art-pop mysticism of Kate Bush, HIGHWATER never hides its influences, but crucially, it doesn't become trapped by them. Instead, MacInnes uses them as stepping stones towards a voice that already feels strikingly her own. Opening track Down To The River immediately establishes the EP's ambitions. Beginning with the unexpected swell of bagpipes before unfolding into an intimate meditation on identity and belonging, it's a bold curtain-raiser that blurs folk tradition with contemporary alternative pop. The natural imagery that runs throughout the record isn't simply aesthetic dressing; rivers, forests and open skies become metaphors for transformation, freedom and emotional survival. Lead single Beast is the emotional centrepiece. Built around soaring vocals and brooding instrumentation, the track examines the thin line between devotion and destruction, while subtly critiquing the impossible standards placed on women. MacInnes delivers every lyric with a conviction that makes even its biggest crescendos feel intimate rather than theatrical. If Beast simmers, Only Pretend erupts. What begins as quiet vulnerability gradually transforms into restrained fury, its cathartic release mirrored by layered production that balances organic textures with polished pop sensibilities. It's here that MacInnes proves she's more interested in emotional honesty than easy hooks. The EP's final stretch shifts the mood entirely. Celestial offers a welcome breath of air, embracing shimmering synths and a lighter touch without sacrificing lyrical depth. By the time closer Struck arrives, the uncertainty that defined the opening moments has given way to quiet confidence. Rather than ending with bombast, it lands with clarity, completing the emotional arc of self-discovery that underpins the record. Produced by Coffee and Zhone, HIGHWATER sounds expansive without ever overwhelming its centrepiece: MacInnes' extraordinary voice. Rich, expressive and effortlessly commanding, it's the thread that binds every stylistic turn together. For a debut, HIGHWATER is remarkably assured. It doesn't chase trends or settle for easy emotional shorthand. Instead, Charlotte MacInnes delivers five songs that feel timeless, immersive and quietly fearless, a compelling first chapter from an artist who already sounds destined for much bigger stages.