Peachy Keen

Nowadays there's no January Nightshift, so as the writing period stretched over two months, I wrote two reviews (I think the maths works out). Here's the first, a review of a very strong EP, go seek it out.

HANNAH LOU LARSEN – PEACH PINE OCEAN (self-release) 

There’s a tendency towards low-level sexism in music criticism in which even positive reviews of female artists tend toward the diminutive, annexing work in a paddock of ornamental prettiness which keeps it away from the citadel of Big Artistic Statements. This is the world in which a towering, mercurial talent like Björk can still be routinely called a charming elfin chanteuse. So, if we describe Hannah Lou Larsen’s new EP as “enchanting”, we’re not using it the way a lounge lizard might describe his Belgravia hostess, but to express how this record feels like a magic(k)al ritual - yes, it’s delicate and airy at times, but the references to the natural world, but lyrically and via field recordings sliced and sprinkled throughout, say more about powerful elemental forces than well-kept gardens and scenic views. 

‘Move Like Rivers’ is the poppiest offering, but even this is unhurried and incantatory, like the mechanical ghost of a Bat For Lashes tune, and shares the mysterious and slightly disorientating air of the whole collection: the title track is underpinned by reverby flaps that sound like someone riffling playing cards in a black hole and which are the sonic equivalent of a confusing labyrinth (it also has some gorgeous snatches of clarinet, as if caught from across a chilly moor, reminding us of Mark Hollis’s glorious solo album). 

‘Memorials’ is amniotic folk, a limpid, melodic autoharp strum, with intimate vocals reminiscent of Stina Nordenstam, whereas ‘I’m Sorry’ foregrounds electronica, giving us a brittle synthesised pizzicato skirmish that sounds like Alex Kidd snapping icicles in a cavern. The vocals here, with their slightly wry tone and subtle treatments, bring to mind Laurie Anderson. Listen to this EP and you’ll fall under its spell...but just maybe not in the cosy way, more in the way in which you check your soul is still all there.