Blood Pressure
There is something pleasantly familiar about Ox, in fact they remind me of Turin Brakes. At first I thought that was who they were trying to sound like. Now with several listens of the mini-album under my belt, I think that unfortunately any duo using lots of acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies are going to be tarred with the same brush.
However this is no bad thing. Turin Brakes have demonstrated that there is still a desire for rudimentary, well written songs; something Ox have in abundance.
Jim Oxborrow’s vocals at times make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. When I read that he is only 21, I was shocked. What has tainted him so? Surely a voice like this comes after years of introspection and more than one heartbreak? How can someone of twenty-one sound so pained and sing with such a wise tongue?
Having sprung up from the Brighton Rocks’ scene, Ox have been pioneered by Radio 1’s Sounds City as well as still being favourites in Brighton.
Every song on this album has you hanging on for Oxborrow's next word whilst the accompanying music is just nice. Add this to harmonies that rush down your spine and you have songs that are near perfect. Think of some of the painfully beautiful moments of Damien Rice, but without the trite lyrics and you're beginning to get the idea.
Ox really celebrate the joy of the song rather than the music. Blood contains 6 songs all of which are of the same calibre. If Ox can maintain this high standard throughout their career they’ll be laughing.