MARIA SWEET
Songs From The Sonoran ‘With Time’ is a delightful introduction to this EP. Enriched by the sweet essence of the vocals there is also a timeless lustre to the tempo. The concentrations in the play seem to press the indie credentials in a forward manner. It results in a blanket of sound that elevates the dream pop calling of it and grants it an esteemed sense of timely apparel in the process which is rather refined and telling in equal measure. Suitably ‘Tick’ also boxes clever. Here there is a click sense of control exerted over the casual and patient demeanour in the flow. Then the laissez faire allure of the vocals also ticks the right boxes. The snappy fashion of the rhythm focuses on something that is hard to pigeonhole. There are outlines of retro in the rhythm but the refined manner of the flow gives it a neat disenfranchised raw drift that suitably plays out to show ability. With the charm offensive very much on their side they make everything count on ‘March’. This approach sees the buoyancy in the rhythm brought to bear to give everything a more engaging sense of presence. While it is steady there is an apparent lustre in the sound that chases down everything in a highly compact way. The fourth track is ‘Say’. Again there is a steady lead to the intro which catches the breakdown in a way that sees the seasoned pick up get behind it all. How the urgency comes to be chased down stirs the latter progression in a formidable way which sees them round upon it all in a way that seems to retain a faithful calling as much as it endows it all with a comfortable sensibility.
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.......................................................................................................................... YELLOW RED SPARKS New Fangs Old Pangs
You are immediately impressed by how smooth and timeless the rhythm of ‘I Want My Knife Back’ beds in. Another aspect also earning your admiration is the lyrics. They are rounded on and the way it all comes together develops in a suitably progressive fashion that captures a true essence in how stylish and becoming it collectively is. Taking a clever pitch to the pace lights everything up on ‘Seven Seas’. As the vocals pour out there is a higher calling picked up on. Also playing its part is the subtle bluegrass flavour that rides in high. The kick gambled on pays out and they have this figured out so evidently in how it takes flight. Coming in off the back of the broad piano strokes is ‘If I Get It, Then You’ve Got It’. As the breakdown captures the emotion and sentiment the band really come up trumps. You can also appreciate the conviction that gives it substance and there is no shying away from the picturesque way it all holds because it also comes to define the depth of the lyrics. Stirred by a wonderful sense of revelry comes ‘I’m Fine’. An off the hook fashion takes hold and is exerted in a way that gives the tune a fonder sense of appreciation in places. The implicit manner in how it is all brought together makes stern use of the charm offensive in a subtle way, but there is a commendable degree of precision to how it all steps out. The big presence in the instrumental sense leads it all in and shows how well thought out it is on every level. Taking note of things in a more sober sense is ‘Violet’. With the delightful way it is all carried through it seems to locate something novel that opens it up for the listener. The elevated touches are a finer procurement that settles into the delivery resolutely. The final track here is ‘New Fangs (Darkling)’ and it benefits considerably from the acoustic guitar. What also gives it a more comfortable showing is the way it is all carried off. You can note the appreciated touches on show and they suit the impartial allure in a highly practical way.
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