aaamusic | On 06, Mar 2011

The Low Behold have been quietly building up a fan base over the last year or so (since forming in 2010), popping up at various venues throughout London. ‘Signs’ is the duo’s first official release – out March 7^th through Hidden Hush Records – and it’s three tracks display the confidence and maturity of a band ten times their ago.

This London based pair came together last year to record a one off collaboration, only to find their shared musical ideas had potential for a greater degree of longevity. The Low Behold consists of musician Andy Leary (formerly of the band Relation) and former classical vocalist Lisa Lorenz. At their core is dreamy synth pop, with a very clear reference to 80s new wave bands such as Depeche Mode. This debut EP showcases the kind of 80s-inspired, indie electro that Cut Copy has been successfully penning over the last few years.

It takes a few listens, but the title track ‘Signs’ is a strong, mid-tempo offering, with a professional vocal performance and containing bold but understated guitars – elements that run through the whole EP. The exotic percussion of ‘English is a Foreign Language’ is a nice added touch, and the increased tempo allows for more energetic vocals, with the melody of the chorus being particularly sturdy. ‘Every Now and Then’ is a lovely, little electro-folk ballad, the acoustic strummings and sultry singing perfectly complementing the ambient electronica. Perhaps the best song on offer.

Although The Low Behold’s 80s synth pop isn’t anything particularly new (I mean, come on, Robbie Williams presented much the same sort of thing on his last album ‘Reality Killed The Video Star’), they do it with such ease that they surpass many of their contemporaries – despite only forming last year. Anyway, few electro pop bands feature a vocalist with the kind of hypnotic talent that Lisa Lorenz sings with on this EP.

Author: Clive Rozario