The Caress are an act of three brothers – Tom, Ben, and Sam Easton – from New Cross, South East London. They formed the project in December 2015, merging a collective love for Phil Spector’s ‘Wall of Sound’ production, ’60s girl bands, and ’80s indie acts. The excellent “A Picture by the Thames in Winter” is their third self-produced single, a piece of romantic yearning concocted “whilst sitting on Southbank observing couples take pictures of each other on their smartphones.” The gentle guitar twang and lush vocals make for a contemplative sound, one fit for the lyrics’ depiction of a couple walking alongside the Thames. Meshing lovable elements of romantic jangle-pop with nostalgic pop production, “A Picture by the Thames in Winter” is an excellent effort that reminds of acts like Camera Obscura and Danny Wilson, in addition to King Krule.
