#293: TEEN - The Way and the Colour

When Brooklyn’s TEEN released their debut full-length in 2012, it was met with mixed reviews. Many praised its psychedelic, lo-fi nature, whilst others noted that its lack of direction and overly long songs detracted from its overall quality. Fast forward two years, and TEEN are back with their second album The Way and Colour, and instead of building on the foundations laid by their debut, the band have opted to shatter any preconceptions you may have had prior to the record’s release, instead filling its 45 minute run time with ten tracks of both contemporary indie and contemporary R&B, the rich layers of instrumentation and synth and vocal melodies having far more in common with the likes of Haim than any of the names TEEN’s debut conjured as influences.

This review was originally written for The Real Music. Click here to read in full.

#283: Ring Ring Rouge - Head Full of Fog

Ring Ring Rouge

Head Full of Fog

April 28 2014 (Jack To Phono)

6.5/10

Upon first listen, Ring Ring Rouge seemed to me to be the pop equivalent of methadone; a substitute tailor-made to appease anyone who thinks it's been too long since the last Keane record. Scratch below the surface, however, beneath the stadium-sized choruses that go hand in hand with the stadium-sized clichés, and 'Head Full of Fog' proves to be a fairly accomplished album that's shaped around a variety of influences. As a result it's nothing original, but that doesn't mean to say it isn't without merit.

This review was originally written for Little Indie Blogs. Click here to read in full.

#172: Haim - Days Are Gone

Haim

Days Are Gone

September 30 2013 (Polydor)

7/10

Often, when there's a buzz surrounding your début album, it adds certain pressures; pressures, it seem, that can make or break an album. When that pressure is having won the BBC Sound of 2013, having fended off the likes of AlunaGeorge and Chvrches to do so, a whole different kind of pressure is brought to the fore. Thankfully, LA's sister act Haim's much anticipated début Days Are Gone was recorded, seemingly oblivious to hype that was mounting around it and is an effortless display of 1990s r'n'b cool, alt-folk melody and subtle yet staple classic rock influences.

This article was originally written for Little Indie Blogs. Click here to read the full review.