VINYL - The Orielles-Silver Dollar Moment (1 LP)

This is one of those cracking albums you feel like you've discovered only to realise everyone else (with excellent taste, ahem) has got into them too. While jangly indie pop by category, there is smart writing and pop nous on here making it much more interesting and this lot will be doing even better things next. And they're only about 12.

What is not to like from Esme, Sid and Henry

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It's what us crazy cats are listening to these days

Saw them live and had to get the CD. Great band and an excellent album.

To paraphrase the Smiths; " How can someone so young write words so abstract?" Take a bow then Esme Dee Hand- Halford, your rhythmic sister Sidonie, and Henry Carlyle Wade who completes the tuneful Yorkshire triumvirate that is The Orielles.It is bassist and lead vocalist Esme that writes most of those lyrics, and she's clearly not about to fill the world with 'Silly Love Songs'. With Henry on guitar and Sidonie on drums, the Orielles' debut album has charmed the pants off me in much the same way as Girl Rays' 'Earl Grey did in 2017.And just like that particular trio, the Orielles inspiration is sourced from a broad church of sounds and influences, enthusiastically urged on here by producer Marta Salongi.Therefore on shiny Brit poppish opener 'Mango', the addition of cowbell, bongos,swirling organ and wah wah pedal keep the guitar / bass / drum set up from becoming too one dimensional. Add to this some fine harmonies to compliment Esme's Amelia Fletcher tinged vocals, and a canny knack for a good tune, then you're on course for twelve tracks of sheer listening pleasure.'Old Stuff New Glass' is boosted by a reliably good bass line from Esmie, and the accompanying whoops and whistles declare an awareness of the blue eyed funk that infiltrated post punk indie courtesy of groups like Orange Juice. Dipping it's toe into soulful 70's soft rock, 'Liminal Spaces' reflects a sophistication that belies the band's youthfulness { collective age at this point 56 }, as does 'Snaps', with it's deceptively catchy chorus masking a dark underbelly.Seldom predictable, Esme's song titles are always thought provoking and as 'I Only Bought It For The Bottle' states, " Colour of the liquid was ambiguous", so in turn are the lyrics. The flute enhanced 'Henry's Pocket' is apparently inspired by certain idiosyncrasies of the young Orielles guitar player, who on both of the aforementioned songs appears to be channeling his sound through a Leslie speaker.Key track 'Let Your Dogtooth Grow' highlights the influence of cinema here and elsewhere upon the trio, and is clearly inspired by repeated screenings of the Yorgos Lanthimos blacker than black comedy 'Dogtooth'. It's a great song leading a spirited charge with hooks- a -plenty, and once again lyrically beguiling.Currently enjoying airplay on Radio 6, album closer 'Blue Suitcase { Disco Wrist}' tips the hat to Chic and the 80's indie bands that incorporated the Nile Rogers wrist action; but even then the threesome just couldn't resist throwing in some disconcerting stutter into the proceedings.Having met and formed at an elders house party, the birth and development of The Orielles could almost have been scripted by Stuart Murdoch in the vein of his 'God Help The Girl' film project. But the reality is that they are here and have presented the world with a debut I urge you not to miss.While accepting that how people spend their cash is subjective, I do get frustrated however when I see so much great music struggling to get anywhere near double figures as regards Amazon album reviews.Recent releases by Shopping, The Downtown Boys, Marika Hackman to name but a handful have been criminally overlooked up until now; Please don't let 'Silver Dollar Moment' suffer the same fate.

Being signed to Heavenly records is a rather impressive accolade that Halifax's finest export proudly achieved last year. What followed in 2018 with "Silver Dollar Moment" is a truly amazing debut album. Full of twists, turns and jam packed with an eclectic mix of influences it has astounded both music fans and leading BBC6 Music presenters alike, gaining support from hugely respected presenters including Lauren Laverne and Marc Riley.An excellent decision to leave out encore favourite "Sugar Tastes Like Salt" has allowed the band to demonstrate their full potential, crafting 12 superb and original songs all worthy of A-side release . Building rapidly on their original (and extremely catchy) surf-pop style, their achievements with the ingenious and creative Marta Salgoni have catapulted the band forward leading to extensive touring and festival appearances. My personal favourite "Old Stuff, New Glass" really shows the depth of this young band's wide and varied influences. I really love the progression and switch to a funkier sound part way through. The killer bassline is complimented by the bongos, yelps, whistles and then a lovely and quirky speed up/slowdown at 3.05 fully demonstrates the harmonious creativity achieved between band and producer. Mark.

Fantastic, uplifting and so cool. Such an accomplished album, topped off with whistles and cow bells ... what's not to like!