Each musician in Sparrow & the Workshop brings their own musical ingredient. Frontwoman and acoustic guitarist Jill O'Sullivan's country vocals are cuttingly pure — but more haunting banshee than soothing angel. Gregor Donaldson is a phenomenal drummer, his dexterity is sometimes astonishing. As well as that he's that most elusive of things, a singing...
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There’s nothing strikingly different about …And Then We Saw Land, Tunng’s fourth record. All of the main ingredients for a modern British folk album are present – the harmonies, cheerful melodies and casual banjo are all present and correct. Though there are, of course, the little moments that define the album clearly but briefly...
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Every decade is peppered by a select number of albums in which all their composite elements are in perfect harmony. In these the texture of the music is perfectly married to the tone of the lyrics and the timbre of the vocals. Elliot Smith’s Either/Or is one of these albums.
From...
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Listening to Have One on Me for the umpteenth time, I still find myself irrationally and spontaneously bursting into tears at the gentle phrasing and subtle moments. There is no biological reason why my hormones should be so out of whack, and therefore the only explanation for my behaviour is something deeply and uniquely...
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Kendal quartet Wild Beasts’ third single from their much-lauded second album, Two Dancers, ‘We Still Got The Taste…’ is a giddy tale of youthful debauchery and lustful adventures, characteristically told by frontman Hayden Thorpe’s unique countertenor vocals and accompanied by a pleasantly toe-tapping upbeat rhythm.
Opening with what can only be described as a melodious...
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It’s been three years since Dev Hynes joined the Saddle-Creek alumni in Omaha, Nebraska, to record his debut LP, Falling Off The Lavender Bridge. For his latest release, Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You, he chose to go further east to Brooklyn to work with Animal Collective producer, Ben Allen and backing band Spacecamp....
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‘In the Sun’ opens with the chirpiest of piano lines, openly declaring its credentials as a summertime pop tune. However, the upbeat, bass-led riff that accompanies Zooey Deschanel’s matter-of-fact delivery undercuts any sadness that might be inspired by the picture she paints of a lacklustre relationship:
It’s hard to be ignored
When I look at...
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Moth in the Motor, a 10″ vinyl collection of Rachael’s piano songs, is limited to 300 pressings, each with a unique, handmade sleeve. Brokensound invited artists to submit their own sleeve designs, which go on display tonight (26th February) at Rachael’s gig at Cafe Oto, Dalston. Also appearing are Alessi’s Ark and Mariner’s...
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Liane Escorza says: "The first time I ever saw First Aid Kit play was at the Slottsfjell festival in Norway last year. I didn’t know about their sound back then but I was lured into the promise of a fresh and captivating act. And so it was. The soft harmonies of these two Swedish...
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Stephen Thomas says: Love To Live is, in many ways, almost perfect. Uniquely placed amongst other current releases, The Living Sisters may not have the broadest commercial appeal but they certainly have the broadest appeal emotionally. Everybody needs music like this — reflective and soothing woozy folk-pop that harmonises and procrastinates. ...
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