“Criminal Heart is not just another album from another Singer-Songwriter – According to Beth Nielsen-Chapman, “”This is what killer songwriting sounds like””. # Legendary guitarist Robben Ford describes it as “”Absolutely beautiful.”” And Chris Difford reckons it’s the work of a “”Fantastic and special singer-songwriter.””

This is a ‘coming of age’ album from Hollie Rogers, who remains, by choice, completely independent. Known already for the candid, confessional nature of her songs and for live performances that make audiences laugh and cry, Hollie refers to the album, which has been 5 years in the making, as her “”baby.”” She says, “”I’m not having a human one. I’m proud to have nurtured this one instead; it’s got a great personality and there’s absolutely no poop.”” The album is the most impressive showcase to date of Hollie’s songwriting prowess, with each song framing insight into a cohesive story; one that reveals itself more and more with each and every line of lyric.

Love, lust and self-discovery are some of the key themes tightly bound together throughout, as an added maturity reveals itself in the record’s strong melodies, satisfying harmonic structures, and hooky choruses. (Try listening to ‘Sinner’ or ‘Love’ without them becoming earworms.) Criminal Heart was produced at Masterlink Studios, Surrey – with a cast list of A Grade players in the shape of Masterlink’s House Band. Their CV’s run like a ‘who’s who of music’ – think Elton John to Herbie Hancock – and, much to Hollie’s particular delight The Spice Girls. She admits, “”Much as I may profess my influences to be exclusively the likes of Joan Armatrading and Joni Mitchell, I can’t deny there’s probably a smidge of Spicefluence hidden in there somewhere. Girl Power!”” But spice aside; this is no 90s pop record. Indeed, US guitar legend Robben Ford and UK chart-topper Jamie Lawson make guest appearances, as does a track produced by 4-time Grammy-Nominated James McMillan. All serving to add some particularly tasteful icing to a not-inconsiderable cake. (Or more likely, a pasty since Hollie is from Penzance, Cornwall. It’s no coincidence that her name rhymes with a famous Pirate Ship.)”