EP: “Changing Seasons” by Siobhán Clarke
Release date: 6 November 2026
South Coast singer-songwriter Siobhán Clarke is set to release her second EP, *Changing Seasons*, on 6 November, a deeply personal collection of songs that takes the listener on an emotional journey through heartbreak, self-discovery, resilience and, ultimately, finding happiness again.
As Siobhán explains, “From the very beginning, with early heartbreaks, finding my power, losing myself and coming back to life again, it’s been a wild ride, and I hope you like the new songs just as much as I do. This EP got its namesake because this has been the most challenging few years of my life, and these songs reflect all of those changes and moments in some way.”
Recorded at HP Music Studios in the New Forest, the EP brings together a talented collection of musicians who have contributed to the project over the past year. Featuring her husband Nathan Clarke on bass, Jack Heustice, Ollins Lande and Harrison Perks on guitars, Manny Norman on violin, and Matt Clark and Harrison Perks on percussion, the recordings showcase a rich musical palette that effortlessly blends rock, folk, punk and country influences.
There is plenty of variety across these six tracks, but what really shines through is the honesty of the song writing. These are songs with stories to tell, emotions to share and, in several instances, experiences that have clearly left a lasting mark on their writer.
Witching Hour
Opening the EP is Witching Hour, a spellbinding number built around female empowerment, the damaging tendency to pit women against one another, and the pressure to remain silent simply to make others feel comfortable. At its heart is the discovery of inner strength and the courage to reclaim your own power.
Musically, this is a fascinating piece of work, with layers of instrumentation carefully woven together to create an almost mystical atmosphere. It begins in a wonderfully understated, smouldering fashion, teasing the listener with glimpses of what is to come before Siobhán launches into her captivating vocal. From there, the musical accompaniment gradually unfolds, surrounding her voice with a wealth of sonic detail.
The uilleann pipes bring a distinctive Celtic flavour to the arrangement, while the other instrumental elements add depth and texture, creating something that feels both enchanting and powerful. There is a real sense of drama here, with every musical layer seemingly having its own part to play in bringing the song’s message to life.
It is a tune to behold, and I would be bold enough to suggest that *Witching Hour* is one of the finest tracks Siobhán and her musical collaborators have produced to date. A seriously impressive opening statement.
Heartbreak Mistake
Next up is Heartbreak Mistake, the oldest song on the EP, having originally been written some 13 years ago. A classic angry love song inspired by a particularly awful teenage relationship, it also pays homage to Siobhan’s love of pop-punk during her younger years.
From the outset, this track comes bursting with energy and momentum. Driving guitars, rock-solid rhythms and the ever-present melodic violin combine to create a sound that has a rock’n’roll backbone, a folk heart and a healthy dose of punk attitude.
If you are expecting something in the traditional Fairport Convention mould, think again! There is far more in common here with the rebellious spirit of The Levellers and Ferocious Dog, where folk instrumentation meets a harder-edged, full-blooded rock sound.
Siobhán delivers the vocals with real passion and conviction, perfectly capturing the anger and frustration that sit at the heart of the song. There is an infectious quality to the arrangement that makes this an obvious crowd-pleaser, and I can easily imagine it going down a storm when performed live. Sometimes those teenage heartbreaks leave us with more than a few painful memories; occasionally, they also leave us with a cracking song.
Angels
As Siobhán explains, Angels represents a vulnerable transition from rock towards folk. It was not originally intended to make the final EP, but she eventually recognised its importance as a turning point in the track listing, allowing the second half of the record to move into a more acoustic and reflective territory.
The song explores mental health, a lack of confidence and the ongoing process of finding your feet again, even when self-doubt continues to creep in. It is a subject that many listeners will undoubtedly recognise, and there is something particularly affecting about the way these feelings are expressed without attempting to disguise the vulnerability behind them.
The arrangement is more restrained, with acoustic guitar, violin and light percussion providing a gentle, flowing backdrop. Rather than relying on grand musical gestures, the song allows the lyrics and vocal delivery to take centre stage.
Siobhán sings with an honesty that feels entirely natural, drawing the listener into the song’s emotional landscape. Angels may be quieter than its predecessor, but it plays an important role in the overall journey of *Changing Seasons*, offering a moment of reflection before the EP continues to explore some of its more difficult personal experiences.
Walk Away
Track four, Walk Away, is arguably one of the most emotionally challenging songs on the EP. Written in the aftermath of a particularly toxic relationship, it explores the painful realisation that someone else’s destructive habits can gradually begin to affect your own behaviour, self-worth and confidence.
Siobhán has spoken openly about how the relationship involved a reliance on alcohol, something she subsequently found herself beginning to emulate. Ultimately, leaving became the necessary step towards reclaiming her life, although making that decision was far from easy. She no longer drinks, and the song stands as a powerful reflection on choosing yourself, even when doing so comes with considerable emotional pain.
Its message is simple but devastatingly effective: you can walk away and hurt for a while, or you can stay and continue breaking your own heart in the long run.
There is a real bravery in putting such personal experiences into a song, particularly when the subject matter involves confronting difficult truths about yourself as well as someone else. That honesty gives Walk Away an added emotional weight, and the pain behind the words is reflected in the intensity of the performance.
Drawing on the familiar heartbreak of folk and country song writing, Siobhan’s vocal carries a particularly expressive quality, with its extended range adding to the drama and emotion. This is not simply a song about the end of a relationship; it is about recognising your own worth and finding the strength to move forward.
A powerful, heartfelt piece of song writing that deserves to be heard.
On The Road
Following the emotional weight of Walk Away, On The Road arrives like a welcome burst of sunshine. This is the fun, light-hearted number on the EP, built around the idea of pursuing what you want from life without allowing endless “what ifs” and “maybes” to hold you back.
Siobhán has cited listening to The 502s and Noah Kahan while writing the track, and that sense of carefree, feel-good energy certainly comes across in the finished recording.
The instrumentation is infectious, with a country-tinged flavour that makes the whole thing wonderfully toe-tapping and danceable. There is a looseness and sense of freedom to the arrangement that perfectly complements the song’s message, while Siobhán brings an engaging warmth to the vocal.
It has a radio-friendly quality without sacrificing the personality that makes the EP so appealing. After the introspection and heartache of the preceding tracks, this is a reminder that life is also about taking chances, enjoying the ride and allowing yourself to embrace the possibilities ahead.
I can certainly see On The Road becoming a live favourite. It is the sort of song that invites you to tap your feet, sing along and leave your worries at the door for a few minutes. A little slice of musical sunshine, and a welcome reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is simply take that first step.
Lilies
Bringing the EP to a close is Lilies, a beautiful and deeply personal love song that Siobhán describes as a love letter to her now-husband, who also happens to play bass on the record.
Having been friends for a long time before falling in love in 2021, the couple’s relationship has developed into something she clearly treasures. With five years together being celebrated this month and their wedding taking place earlier this year, the song becomes a heartfelt expression of gratitude, affection and the joy of sharing life’s adventures with the person you love.
Blending country and folk influences, Lilies has a warmth and charm that immediately draws you in. Siobhan’s euphonic vocals deliver the deeply personal lyrics with considerable emotional intensity, and there are moments when the tone and phrasing recall the late Dolores O’Riordan, with that distinctive ability to convey feelings that seem to come straight from the heart.
The instrumentation is beautifully judged, with acoustic guitar, strings, piano and violin combining with simple but effective rhythms to create a wonderfully sympathetic backdrop. Nothing feels overworked or unnecessary; instead, the arrangement allows the sentiment of the song to shine through.
A particularly atmospheric electric guitar solo provides one of the recording’s standout moments, lifting the arrangement and adding another layer of emotion without distracting from the intimacy of the song itself.
Lilies is a fitting way to conclude an EP that has explored so many different emotional seasons. Where some of the earlier tracks confront heartbreak, uncertainty and the struggle to rediscover yourself, this final offering celebrates the comfort of finding someone with whom you can share the madness, the challenges and the beautiful unpredictability of life.
Heartfelt, intimate and steeped in genuine emotion, it is more than simply a love song; it is a love story set to music.
Final thoughts
With Changing Seasons, Siobhán Clarke has created a collection that feels both personal and relatable. Across six tracks, she takes us from the empowering mysticism of Witching Hour and the punk-fuelled anger of Heartbreak Mistake through vulnerability, difficult life lessons and the rediscovery of happiness, before bringing everything together with the warmth and affection of LiliesNO.
What makes this EP work so well is its variety. The rock and punk influences sit comfortably alongside the Celtic, folk and country elements, while the musicianship adds depth without ever overshadowing the songs themselves. Each track has its own identity, yet together they form a coherent story about change, resilience and learning to embrace the person you have become.
Most importantly, there is a genuine sense of lived experience running throughout the record. Siobhán is not simply singing about life’s ups and downs; she is sharing pieces of her own journey, the difficult moments as well as the happier ones. That openness gives the songs their emotional weight and makes them all the more compelling.
Life rarely moves in a straight line. We make mistakes, lose our way, pick ourselves up and occasionally discover that the next chapter is better than anything we could have imagined. *Changing Seasons* captures that process beautifully, reminding us that even after the hardest winters, there is always the possibility of a brighter spring.
A thoroughly engaging release from a South Coast singer-songwriter who has plenty to say, and the musical imagination to say it in her own way.
Track Listing
Witching Hour
Heartbreak Mistake
Angels
Walk Away
On The Road
Lilies
Links
https://www.facebook.com/siobhanclarkemusic
https://www.siobhanclarke.co.uk
https://linktr.ee/siobhanclarkemusic
Article By David Chinery (Chinners)
