THE BRAHMS Meraki
They very much keep their eyes on the prize with what is on show with ‘Homerun’. The catchy hooks in the guitar are pitched expertly and the invigoration found in the quickening of the pace is smart. The other aspect that works effectively here is the latent Reggae influence also worked into the equation. It is mirrored by how the vocals are approached, but they also inhabit something with modernity to it that is trapped in the sound. After that we come to ‘Lovers’. Again there is a calculated sense of worth found from how it hits the ground. They located the lovely aspects here and it is an approached that is treasured. They seem to allow it to blanket the sound in a considerate way that is consummate throughout. On third track ‘She Moves’ the conjecture in the rhythm resides brilliantly. The Reggae influence is stringer here and the abiding way it furnishes the delivery is quite something. Also noted here is the smooth way things get down to business. That certifies the structures and holds firm. Then they keep things on track with the catchy and spry intro of ‘Golden’. This has a neater intent to it but it has a sense of purpose that brings it all around. The well-reasoned vocals hold their own. Able and content in terms of fluidity, things have a determination about them which gets behind the playing in a prevailing way through and through. The last addition to a fine EP is ‘Windsor’. Again this has a pop charm about it that is matched by a fine playing concentration. This leans more to a calypso styling though and that Caribbean influence is highly apparent. The fluid motions and trapping galvanise the showing brilliantly. It is inspiring to hear as things wrap around the delivery in such a loyally committed fashion.
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.......................................................................................................................... IN HOURS Shadows
Things open with a foray with ‘First Steps’. It cuts its teeth as an ensemble piece and the high narrative of the instrumental work on show is impressive. As the calm influence of the vocals blanket everything it moves forward and has a noted sense to how it is all redeemed that suits the calm demeanour on show. ‘Dark has a steady décor to the pace. It picks up in a way of prominence. Adding zest to the way it runs is the catchy way that the vocals are delivered. In how it all combines it becomes a pop affair by proxy in places but does so in a way that fleshes everything out in solid fashion. Engineered to locate the right stuff is ‘Just Dance’. It is hard to pigeonhole the band in terms of sound. This is a sufficient tune that is tracked, albeit somewhat difficult to get behind because it hasn’t got the vocals down pat completely. They are a bit misaligned in a way but alongside the scatty sensibility of the delivery and how it sounds they fit. The overall breakdown here embraces nuanced indie and does it comfortably. ‘Summertime’ is something that calls the shots. The shades of cool close down the play in a sharp way. It is impressive and what is yielded from the approach transcends the sense of contemporary here for all the right reasons and ends up taking the direction where it needs to go. The closing track here is ‘Ghosts’ and it is cut from a fine cloth. There is a refined showing to how the running steps out. In the sedate touches it holds with a principality lingering over the tempo. The careful way it is all staged sees the soothing derivative of the guitar linger over the tempo but do so in a way that adds weight and presence. It feels rather astute from how fleshed out it is overall.
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