Album reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Dionne Sturdy-Clow – Flying with the Dogs (2020)

Dionne Sturdy-Clow is picking apart the human condition with an introspection on the knots of life through her riveting double A-side. Flying with the Dogs uses an old-fashioned A-side style to hit you with two stylistically different yet thematically connected singles. Using thoughts and imagined conversations, she takes on relatable human conundrums linked to personal experiences.

Coming from a musical family, she has been writing songs since her teens. With the help of her dad and friends, she set out to create a storybook of life through her music. Drawing on personal experiences, she crafts engaging webs and tales that get you hooked to her sound.



‘Too Dumb To Love’ is a conversational track that walks you through an imagined conversation with a boyfriend’s ex. The song opens with big guitar sounds that vibrate against you. This turns into an engaging melody that captivates you from start to finish. The layers of instruments are wonderful and complement the lyrics. While this could seem like a dig at the ex, it is not actually the case as the lyrics talk about how both could have been better to the boyfriend. Sturdy-Clow’s vocal performance is as engaging as the melody and will get you singing along.

‘It’s Your Life’ also uses big guitars in the opening, but the running feeling is completely different from the burst of ‘Too Dumb To Love’. This song has a more folk-country feel to it which really showcases the versatility of Sturdy-Clow. The song was written for a friend who had dark thoughts and was in a tough place. It captures the anger of not being able to help while acknowledging they have a right to make the choices they do. If you didn’t know this was the same person, you would think this song comes from a completely different artist. It is amazing how Sturdy-Clow is able to perfectly capture two very different styles and vibes.

Dionne Sturdy-Clow uses her double A-side Flying with the Dogs to unknot the human condition while showcasing her unbelievable musical versatility. The two singles could not be more different stylistically yet they are both so captivating. The subject matter is relatable as she pumps you with emotions that we have all felt at some point while getting you moving to the engaging soundscapes.

Find out more about Dionne Sturdy-Clow on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

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