aaamusic | On 26, Feb 2015

Having already been around for approximately 18 months and played a handful of festivals last year ranging from Bestival to Secret Garden Party, 2015 finally welcomes the London six piece’s first EP release titled Arrows, out this week.

With production helmed by Chris Goulstone, whose previous collaborators consists of Portishead and Alison Goldfrapp Arrows is a concise, cleanly formed and ambitious three track EP. Featuring imposing soundscapes which are intersected with electronic sensibilities, it makes for an unorthodox enticing listen. Consecutively the EP treads through murky waters as ‘Stealth’ morphs from understated electronic bleeps into rumbling tribal percussion and cascades divulged lyricism, “I know the harm I can do myself”, as demonstrated by the ‘The Void’. Whilst cautious instrumentals, come to a sudden stop at the bridge creates tension.

What undoubtedly pushes this is EP forward is the front woman’s (Kate Young) succinct and commanding vocals, which cannot go unmentioned. She sings with conviction demanding your full attention. It is a voice that could be catalogued with established female vocalists such as Florence Welch, Bjork and London Grammar’s Hannah Reid; however the songs do struggle to keep you fully engrossed from start to finish and does become monotonous at times. Conversely it is a poised release that has been well-crafted and will appeal to acquired tastes.

Lois Browne