Wispy vocal harmonies characterise this ghostly yet endearing debut
The opener 'Side For This' is the first introduction to the hazy, wistfully intense vocals that define this Southampton duo's distinctive sound. Broken acoustic strumming eases you gently into the album as the track rises and falls between bursts of fuzzy sounding electric guitar. 'Iris', however, is more acoustic with an instantly familiar tune, before sliding into the equally beautiful 'Painted Over', a track with the kind of haunting melody that feels like its been buried in your brain forever, just waiting to be awakened by Pellumair's swirling, folk-influenced chants.
'Seventy' is the album's standout track; its cute, catchy melody couples beautifully with the sensual, silky-smooth harmonies, simultaneously romantic and haunting, with an echo of early Simon and Garfunkel.
'See Saw' and 'Lucy', with their wispy, far-away vocals and plodding pace fail to live up to the standard of earlier tracks, but 'Silk As Her Era' rescues the album, with its more catchy, contemporary folk twist and twinkly guitar sounds, until 'Postcards' and 'Retirement Gold's haunting vocals bring the album to a close, sending shivers down your spine.
Although at times the hazy nature of some tracks can be frustrating, it's surprising how deeply the heady melodies penetrate your consciousness without you even realising. 'The Summer Storm' incorporates an interesting mix of warm pop and contemporary folk stylings with a sprinkling of indie guitar sounds, all lovingly crafted to into this slightly ghostly yet strangely endearing debut.