This is the time of the year when I get to check out bands that I heard getting hyped earlier in the year and see how well they live up to those claims. Up next on my to do list has been this British band. Lead singer Lily Fontaine, helps separate them from the rest of the indie rock pack. They actually throw some rock music in the mix instead of just getting jangly with their feelings, like most indie rock falls into. The first song is just a windup, the cash in on the momentum on the second song. It has an almost post-punk tension to the taunt guitar playing. They got their start as a dream pop band, and you can still hear hints of that in the guitar tones. For their first full-length, their approach to songwriting is pretty mature. They have a solid grasp of who they are as a band.
"Broken Biscuits" wanders a little more. The guitars ring out more circularly and, her vocal lines lean more toward spoken word poetry. Their bass player manages to hold it all together. On "I'm Not Crying Your Crying' they come across as a female-fronted version of Bloc Party. The ballad "Mastermind Specialism" is less compelling. But well produced like the bulk of the album so far. The title track also gets bogged down in this kind of abstract spoken word thing, that they just did, when it does wind its way into melody it does not rock out. They have already shown me that they are capable of writing better songs so that is what I am expecting from them. "Not Every One Gets to Go to Space" is a more balanced affair, she does talk her way through certain sections but things come together as a functional song.
Songs like "R&B' and "Nearly Daffodils" play more to their strengths as a band. They are more focused and allow the dizzying atmosphere of the guitar to create a landscape to explore rather than wander aimlessly around. 'The Best Tears of Your Life' is another ballad of sorts, leaning in a more pop direction. This at least finds it developing more hooks. " You Blister My Paint" is more overindulgent in its emotive balladry. To be called "Side Boob" the song is pretty dreamy. The album ends with a pretty decently flowing song that has dynamics.I will give this album an 8.5, they are good when they are focused on putting the drive in songs, the spoken word stuff doesn't; not work as well for me , but giving this album the score I did because it is well done, and they have some great moments, might be a little hyped.
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