Rating : NNN Rating: NNN
Frontwoman Fiona Jane Burgess and her brother, guitarist William Burgess, started their band in 2011, naming it after the popular BBC Radio 4 show. Fittingly, they’ve called their debut Conversations. After all, studies show (my own, at least) that women are better at talking through their issues than men.
The London four-piece make dreamy electro-pop with super-retro-sounding 80s synths, peppered with soft Corrs-like harmonies.
Sometimes they’ve got an xx-meets-Bangles thing happening, sometimes a funkified Hall & Oates thing (the title track), which on that tune makes them sound like a mellower Chromeo.
Burgess coos straightforward relationship-in-crisis lyrics that leave little to be interpreted – quite refreshing. Unfortunately, what starts out as emotionally drenched bop-along pop eventually gets tiresome. There are too many slow jams on the back half, unless you’re… trying to… zzzz…
The final track, The Day That Needs Defending, is a groovy ditty with pretty, layered harmonies. I just hope listeners get there.
Top track: Conversations
