Live Review: Gretta Ray

Newtown Social's sticky floor was buzzing as Gretta Ray managed to fill up the small room from corner to corner. At one of the last shows the venue will ever hold, the air was bittersweet. She began with her tune Unwind, the catchiness and familiarity of the song mesmerising the crowd from the get go. It was a strong start as her voice shone over the instrumental strums. Her bouncing stage energy was so joyful that it became not only mesmerising, but infectious.

Throughout the show she incorporated a heap of banter; it seemed as we were getting to know 'the real' her, rather than just another stage persona. The tone was playful as she ploughed into a cover of Hey Lover by Blake Mills - a quirky, word-filled love song. It was clear that this is a track which Ray idolises, as these qualities are the abilities she has mastered that make her songwriting so advanced and awe inspiring.

Long Distance is the track that really stood out on the night, the lyrics so thoughtfully conceptual that you can't help but follow along, understand, and sigh in relief, knowing that someone is able to portray your exact feelings so poetically.

She played a cover of Youth by Daughter. The song is not an easy one to imitate, however rather than attempting to imitate, Ray offered a completely different flavour to the song. Although it was very different, this version stood up with the same emotional substance as the original, leaving the club completely silent and moved. She mashed up Youth with her song Unexpected Feeling from her 2015 EP Elsewhere. Her track mirrors the chords to Youth whilst holding a more upbeat and spirited essence.

Towers, her latest single, had the crowd up and singing along, their voices ringing even louder than Ray's low and brooding tone. "It's unbelievable you guys already know the words!" she exclaimed. The song is kind of cliche, but in a great way, as the metaphors tended to whisk you away in the chorus, telling tales of kings and queens, princes and knights. She ended with a tune that "changed her life" as it cemented her as the latest winner of triple j Unearthed High. Drive. The choir of voices and intense hype during this tune was the perfect way to end a great night. Gretta Ray is going to be one of the great voices of our generation and her album is one to anticipate.