On “Before It Snows,” the first chapter of her two-part debut EP collection, Rosina Buck transforms deeply personal experiences into a strikingly intimate body of work. Rooted in folk and singer-songwriter traditions but coloured with theatrical flourishes and imaginative arrangements, the six-track release explores love, loss, addiction, co-dependency, and self-discovery with remarkable emotional candor.
Musically, “Before It Snows” balances delicate folk foundations with a playful sense of experimentation. Produced by multi-instrumentalist Mike Trim, the EP embraces texture and instinct over polish, allowing each track to inhabit its own distinct world. There is a refreshing looseness to the arrangements, with unexpected sonic details and theatrical touches lending color to even the most emotionally weighty moments.
The EP’s title track serves as its emotional centrepiece. Here, Buck’s songwriting reaches its most affecting, capturing the painful tension between holding on and letting go. The song’s raw honesty is emblematic of the collection as a whole, which repeatedly confronts cycles of longing and unhealthy attachment while steadily moving towards a place of acceptance and self-reliance.
Elsewhere, tracks such as “Telescope Love” and “Vampire” showcase Buck’s gift for vivid imagery and character-driven narratives, while “Pumpkin Pie,” “Fireworks,” and “Tropical Thunder” help broaden the emotional and sonic palette.
What makes “Before It Snows” particularly compelling is its refusal to smooth over life’s contradictions. Buck embraces imperfection, allowing the songs to feel alive and authentic. Even when exploring difficult subject matter, there is warmth and humanity running through the collection, creating a listening experience that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
As the first instalment in a two-part project, “Before It Snows” leaves the impression of an artist in the midst of an important creative and personal evolution. Honest, imaginative, and emotionally resonant, it is a promising introduction to Rosina Buck’s distinctive artistic voice and an enticing preview of what is still to come.
“Before It Snows” by Rosina Buck is in stores now.
