aaamusic | On 09, Mar 2014

Raleigh, originally formed in Calgary, Canada in 2010, but only now release their first album, Sun Grenades & Grenadine Skies – initially this album was recorded between 2012 and 2013, but they decided to release it this year.

With a lot of folk-pop/rock origins, this band wrote and recorded their first album in Montreal Studio Hotel 2 Tango with Howard Billerman and Greg Smith. The two producers have in their repertoire bands like Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade; in fact, in some ways, a couple of instrumental tracks are quite similar.

The sublime vocals of this first album – both female and male – make a great contrast with the instruments that are used and therefore make this a bit special and different from what has been heard lately. The strong structure of their “craft” makes it stand out, as do the educated voices that accompany each track on the record. The arrangements throughout the album are very well done, in general, and is a mix of different styles of music, well produced. Probably because of this, they will get a considerable space in the broad market out there.

This record has a taste to suit almost everyone: very vibrant songs that put you in a “happy mood”, yet  intimate and sentimental – not only on the vocals, but the tools they use to speak.

Overall, this album is bright, sophisticated and has great musical variety, which enables it reach new horizons and many others different things. With some live shows scheduled, Raleigh will certainly be talked about this year.

Must hear : ‘Ostinato’, ‘China Flowers’, ‘Astray’ and ‘Inside Lines’.

★★★★★

Joana Carvalho