Kelli Blanchett’s new five-track EP Casual Dining, is an honest and almost conversational release, rooted in alt-folk with touches of Americana.
Originally from Corby and now based in London, Blanchett has long been part of the UK music landscape through her work alongside Self Esteem, but this project feels like a defining moment in her own voice.
The EP was shaped during a period where chronic illness forced a complete shift in how Blanchett lived day to day.
That experience runs through the EP, with the songwriter offering a series of reflections on identity, isolation and change. “I had to start living life in a completely different way, and this record is a break-up with the old version of me,” she explains. There’s a sense of letting go woven into these songs, balanced by a growing acceptance of what comes next.
Sonically, Blanchett draws from a lineage of 70s singer-songwriters, bringing in warm, organic textures. Acoustic guitars ride alongside soft keys and subtle arrangements, giving her voice room to carry the emotional centre of each track.
That restraint works in her favour, especially in moments like “Hiding in Plain Sight,” where layered harmonies and slide guitar add depth.
With Casual Dining, Blanchett emerges grounded in real experience and a clear sense of self.
