Since beginning my blogging journey, Bauer and Katie Coleman have most probably been my most talked about artists. Although belonging in completely separate spheres, (Bauer being firmly established on the underground Manchester scene and Katie Coleman a fast up and coming artist on the London circuit) both have exciting new EPs due for release soon. Bauer make a return this summer with their Reconnected EP, following on the success of previous albums Sleeping Giants and Lose All Memory, whereas Katie Coleman is bringing us her debut EP So Much Love.
The re-release of highly-popular track Connected kickstarts Bauer's Reconnected EP which returns us to their roots, both reminding established fans of a firm favourite and inviting any newcomers with their electro-pop anthem produced by the iconic Steve Power. With an attention grabbing intro, Nothing Will Change is a purely serene track, despite the melancholic lyrics, with Greg Matthews' vocals offering sympathy against the light and breezy synths. Tranquilizing melodies eases into an uplifting chorus before the tone drops into an ethereal outro. My Guiding Light transports us to a lazy summer's evening with atmospheric guitar riffs peeking out from behind sun-drenched synths. Combine this with it's danceable beats and hazy melodies, My Guiding Light demonstrates Bauer's renewed energy and direction.
Bauer demonstrate further their new musical drive by presenting us with By The Blue Lake an instrumental heavily influenced by the works of Trent Reznor. An ominous intro builds and simmers dramatically, interrupted in periods by brooding pianos before synths suddenly take us by surprise. By The Blue Lake contains such a harrowing depth, demanding close attention to be paid which deems the track a personal favourite of mine.
No time is wasted as the highly energetic Hole In My Head introduces Katie Coleman's So Much Love EP with her powerful, soulful vocals soaring above playful guitar riffs and catchy pop beat as we jump head first into an attitude-fuelled, empowering track. Enough softens the EP as our guard is dropped for a passionate piano ballad which demonstrates not only Katie's astounding vocal abilities, but also her talent in songwriting with poetic imagery forming the heart of the track.
Title track So Much Love injects the EP with a funky combination of pop and soul alongside backing vocals heavily influenced by gospel. Place this among the grooving guitar riffs and you have a strong pop track which reels you in and leaves you singing along long after the outro fades out. Never Again playfully tricks the listener with it's soft intro finding itself suddenly kicked out the way for a pumping, feisty track with a heavy rhythm to create a song with a kick-ass edge. I had previously featured a review of Katie Coleman's debut single back in April, however One More Lonely Heart is a track that is in no danger of becoming stale with the ripping guitar riffs and Katie's vigorous vocals soaring above the catchy chorus.
Reconnected will be available from the 25th August
So Much Love is ready for pre-order here and is due for release on 1st September.
The last time Turrentine Jones were featured on my blog ( you can jog your memory here) they had just embarked down the route of Pledge music in order to produce their debut album OUR DAYS (with 5% of profits being donated to homeless charity Mustard Tree) The results of which landed in my inbox recently and the Blues drenched sounds with a strong Memphis influence told me that the public's faith was well spent. Packed with tracks which simmer in 'devil-may-care' riffs, it's icy cool attitude teases us with the mystery it retains.
Gift of A Rose eases us into the album with it's charming melodies and plucky riffs. The smoothness to the track, which manifests itself in Julian Neville's sultry vocals, creates a strong Beatnik vibe as the infectious rhythm creates a promising album opener. Southern American attitude is punched directly into Hunger as their influence from the Tennessee label Stax Records shines through with a raw edge to the guitar riffs and a heavy emphasis on the unmistakable twang to Neville's vocals. Love Heard You Coming is arguably the most radio-friendly track to the album due to it's playful spontaneity and conventional approach to the chorus. Grace Is A Dancer injects OUR DAYS with a heavy passion in it's subtle intro which slowly heats up into a celebratory ballad. The track simmers back down again into an intimate acoustic guitar solo which feels so close , the Fretboard is almost whispering in your ear.
It's easy to see, or hear even, how the colloquially titled Moonlight Is On Yer Side was chosen as the single for OUR DAYS. The fun, yet seductive, instrumentals deems the song perfect to represent the album. Moonlight Is On Yer Side is a smart and sharp track, cloaked in a mysterious nighttime haze due to the echoing bridge, but still contains all the makings of a hit single with it's carefree, danceable beat and spontaneous nature.
Pussy Cat is a T.S Elliot style ode to feline femininity and thankfully, evades the trap of the simpering love song. The woman of desire, and the subject of the track, shares the traits of a Pussy Cat due to the fact she noncommittally comes and goes as she pleases against a backdrop of electric riffs, which provides a gentle warmth and flows smoothly into the gentle Little Queen. June returns the album to it's raw blues core, complete with angst-ridden lyrics. The main concept behind OUR DAYS seems to be quite simply 'women' with Mary Ann as the finishing track. (I wonder how Grace and Pussy Cat lady feel about this??) However Mary Ann is a lucky lady as the song provides OUR DAYS with a heated passion in it's velvety verses and pining guitars which perfectly seals up the album.
2013 saw Turrentine Jones receive a rapturous reception at the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury . Couple this with the raw, sensual energy of OUR DAYS and you have a band that is set to stamp it's own unmistakable mark on the British music scene.
