Tours supporting Bellowhead and The Unthanks have brought this young English duo a strong profile, and with an excellent EP under their belts, the release of this debut album is certain to cement them as a fixture on the UK folk scene.
Distinctively plaintive vocals, the duo share the singing duties across the 12 songs and there’s a real charm and atmosphere created when they sing together. The arrangements of the songs across the make the most of this, with delicate open soundscapes giving the beautifully recorded vocals space to breathe.
While there might be space in the songs, and on first listen the arrangements relatively simple, the more you listen the more the craft in the songs come out; this is an album of real subtlety & skill, and it feels like every single instrument, and even every single note has been considered. It gives the album a unique atmosphere; there’s an intimate, relaxed feel in way it’s presented, but there’s precision in every single element of the songs - however you analyse it, this is a beautiful album with a timeless feel.
Guitars, strings and piano form the basis of the album, with colour coming in from occasional bass, banjo, drums and more, but in essence the simplicity of the voices create the real magic.
Highlights include the atmospheric ‘Green Leaved Trees’ where the vocals are at their very best; the upbeat ‘Stand Up Show’ is perfectly sequenced in the track listing to break up the album; and the beautiful ‘Just Like the Old Days’ that sums up the album perfectly with delicate arrangements and vocals all presented with a beautiful melody.
‘Kite’ is an album full of charm and character, and really puts a marker down for Jonny and Lucy as one of the best young duos on the UK folk scene. Highly recommended.
Track listing
1 There's A Disease
2 Just Like The Old Days
3 Winter Got Lost
4 Green Leaved Trees
5 Down In Adairsville
6 I Write This Note
7 Stand Up Show
8 A Dream
9 Call Yourself A Friend
10 Swing Low
11 Peggy Gordon
12 Jack And Jill
review 23 September 2011
