Perky indie/emo
This album may, hands down, win the award for creepiest album cover ever, however, musically it has the opposite effect - right from the opening bars of the first track you are wrapped in Dowsing's comfortable, warm sound. It's one of those records you feel sure you should already own, in fact it slips into your collection so smoothly it's like it's always been there.
At only a year old it's surprising that Dowsing are already so comfortable in their own musical skins, but surprisingly this full length has an assured and easy sound, in fact, you can almost imagine it took them years to get to this point. At times the record may actually be a little laid back for some but for others the sweetly melodic charms on offer here are a refreshing change from much of the techy emo currently doing the rounds - they have more in common with say Joie De Vivre's low key indie-toned stylings. That said, it never quite gets horizontal and there are still some chunkier rock out moments to be had; the fantastic Lavender is one, it begins with slow drums and keys but quickly brings in some meatier guitar before the emotive vocals get going, and as with many of the tracks here, it has another excellent sing a long melodic vocal line. Midwest Living is another more upbeat and bouncy tune - melodic keys, harmonious backing shouts and danceable beats help to get things moving along.
It may bring reminders of a ton of bands past but this record is so tuneful and heartfelt that it transcends all those comparisons and becomes just one of those records in your collection that you come back to when you need a certain something.