Lionhall
Rhizomes (Tiny Lights)
April 29 2013
8/10
Words: Linn Branson
The emergence of the female vocal has really come to the fore over the last few years, highlighted by such artists as London Grammar and Mt. Wolf. A similarity to the latter and comparisons elsewhere to The xx have been made in regard to the Newcastle-based electro duo of Ana Blamford and Sean Ewins, collectively known as Lionhall.
On this, their debut EP, they have ably melded their sprarse and often very icy electronic instrumental sound, against Ana's vocals which tingle along the spine on hearing like icicles on the spiny branches of a leafless tree, often joined by Sean's deeper vocal inflection to add yang to the yin. The title track is a perfect slow-rise opener with its sound effects of sea washing against a shore, before breaking into those vocals which pre-empt what to expect from the three tracks that follow it.
'Colour Me' is a highlight: still adopting the raw, stripped back approach but drawing in guitar and drums to add weight and depth. It is haunting and sublime. 'Behave' pulls in guitar licks but still floats in minimalism without interrupting the mood already set. Closer 'Magnetic Forces' is perhaps the closest they get to The xx, largely due to Sean's vocals that remind of Oliver Sim, against a building electronic back-beat. It's a finale that leaves you longing for an encoure. And there can be little doubt that we'll be hearing more of Lionhall in the future.
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