Okay, here I am at a bank holiday, and suddenly the sun disappears and the days get colder. What on earth happened there? However, on the plus side, that does mean I had time to settle down and listen to the new album by Katy Hurt. I will say that May has been an amazing month for country releases here in the UK, and I was more than happy to find this one in my inbox. Here is the press release, and then my review. Katy Hurt definitely goes under the ‘rising star’ umbrella. Born in the UK and raised in the US, she embodies the new wave of British country sound.
Press Release:
Acclaimed UK country/Americana artist Katy Hurt released her highly anticipated debut album, “Gimme A Break,” on May 23rd, 2025. The 13-track album, recorded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at Stereobus Recording Studios in 2020, is a bold and personal statement from one of the UK’s most exciting voices in modern country.
Co-written with guitarist Gab Zsapka, produced by Murray Pulver (The Bros. Landreth, Doc Walker), mixed by Paul Yee, and mastered by Peter Letros at Wreckhouse Mastering, Gimme A Break is a sonically rich journey through heartbreak, healing, self-discovery, and defiance.
Several singles from Gimme A Break have already made waves ahead of the album release. The anthemic “Sounds Good In A Bar” soared to #1 on the iTunes Country Chart on the day of release, earned a spot in the Top 5 on Tasmanian Country Radio and received airplay and support from CBC, KIX FM, Sirius XM and the BBC, alongside playlisting on all major
Meanwhile, “Seasons,” featuring Canadian artist Joey Landreth, gained widespread acclaim. Featured on Apple Music’s Country Wide and Amazon Music’s Fresh Folk & Americana and named Single of the Week on Absolute Radio, as well as earning spotlight placement on ‘BBC Introducing.’
Written across gardens, green rooms, and continents, Hurt calls the writing process “the easiest, most rewarding thing I’ve ever done” and the release itself “the hardest.” A five-year saga filled with pandemic delays, personal growth, and unwavering perseverance.
“Working on this record let me understand parts of myself I hadn’t even met yet,” says Hurt. “And I hope through listening you find a little piece of yourself too.”
My review:
13 songs and running to just under the hour (a double album on vinyl).
“Dreamers.” This is rock with a twang on the country guitar. It is upbeat, and we have “money saved with a bit of music played.” We all were born with a song in our hearts here at the magazine, so his party track is a sound introduction to the album.
“The Kiss.” Here we have a gentler, romantic song. It is openly appreciative of being in love and all that it means with that special person in life. It has a simple message and a lovely bit of harmony singing to accompany the lead.
“Oh Girl” is a stripped-back acoustic that shows the delicate, emotive connection Katy can have with her lyrics. This was a sway-along rhythm and a neat chorus. I also feel that this one would gain interest from commercial radio.
“Wish I Could Give You Up.” This is more traditional country storytelling, and the guitar provides a neat accompaniment to this melody that carries you along. I liked the drum sound on this one; it gives an upbeat heartbeat to a number that would be fun to drive to! I could sing along to this one.
“All We Ever Have” is a gentle ballad. It is a peaceful late evening song that fits happily into a summer evening. Unwind and have a cool drink with this one.
“I Loved Loving You” brings me into a late-night bar, and the singer is doing a final number with the last couples still on the floor. It tells a sad story with an uplifting chorus and a reflective lyric.
“Rather Be.” I liked this one. It has a really interesting beat, and I very much enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek lyric. It is a fine track, and the point where it kicks into a heavier beat works too. It’s not typical of the album, but I like quirky sometimes.
“Before the Ice Melts.” A good beat opens this one, a track about the blonde at the bar and life’s ups and downs in romance. The song holds to a breezy chorus and has a freshness that blows through its delivery.
“What Have You Got to Lose?” This is a song that remains extremely intimate. Katy is almost in the room with us; the vocals sway to a gentle harmony.
“Feather.” There are elements of folk music infused in this album, and the intimate connection between artist and listener is another feature. These aspects are both shown in this gentle bedtime song.
“Sounds Good in a Bar.” An Americana track, a vehicle for another tale and Katy has a great voice here that soars upward in that chorus. The harmony background vocals work well too.
“Gimme A Break.” We return to a rock sound here that I bet will appear on the live set. It has this bit of sound, a country/rock combo that gets you turning the volume up and getting ready for a night out.
“Seasons” (featuring Joey Landreth).” The seasons do come and go, like love and life. It is a reflective, dreamy end to this well-worked and emotional album.
Standout tracks: “Gimme A Break,” “The Kiss,” and “Rather Be.”
In Summary:
There’s sass, soul, and sensitivity in equal measure—and whether you’re raising a glass or nursing a heartbreak, there’s a track here for every season. Put simply, this album doesn’t just sound good in a bar—it sounds good everywhere.
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Stream music by Katy Hurt here
Catch Katy live as she takes Gimme A Break on the road this summer:
May 25—Square Tower, Portsmouth
May 30—Chapel Arts Centre, Bath
June 5—Hot Box, Essex
June 8 – Gullivers, Manchester
June 12—Acapela, Cardiff
June 20—Greystones, Sheffield
Tickets and more information available at
By Lorraine Foley