Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Jamie Lee: A shy lad.
MONEY ‘The Shadow Of Heaven’
HHHH (Bella Union)
An existential debut from Manchester newcomers... “Hymns, to me, are the ancestors of the pop song,” says Jamie Lee, which is perhaps why MONEY’s debut album reverberates and billows as if written to be performed amongst the pillars and pews of a church. The record’s first track is called ‘So Long (God Is Dead)’ whilst even its title has a religious tint, ‘The Shadow Of Heaven’ conjuring up images of the darker side of the promised land. That’s not to say MONEY are preaching holy beliefs at their listeners. That sense of spirituality is more a feeling than a widely discussed theme; an atmosphere used to give
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gravitas and grandiosity to their compositions. What ‘The Shadow…’ does though, is play with your emotions. ‘Who’s Going To Love You Now’ builds and builds to heart-swelling climax, appropriating Arcade Fire-esque epic bursts along the way. The seven minute long ‘Goodnight London’ pricks at tear ducts with its piano-led foundations and Lee’s mournfully-sung poetry. When his voice cracks on ‘Letter To Yesterday’ it just serves to add more depth to an already cavernous record. As closer ‘Black’ fades out, it’s clear MONEY have made something special and, maybe, even sacred. Rhian Daly Download: ‘Who’s Going To Love You Now’, ‘Goodnight London’, Black’
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