Manchester-based band Villanelle & The Northern Wonder impress thoroughly on their new EP, Mirage. Debonair, fuzzy rock haunts are abundant, channeling a ’70s energy with its vocal charisma, organ flashes, and twangy guitars.
First catching our ears with scorching EP opener “December Bloom” in December, the rest of the EP delivers on that track’s ample promise. Its resonating guitar envelopment and shimmering organs pair with suave vocals with exhilarating effect, traversing seamlessly into the riveting “Gold Standard.” A heavy bass bounce and confident vocals swell into the piano-laden hook, remarking “it’s your move now,” into the piano glistening and sporadic guitars, fondly reminiscent of Last Shadow Puppets.
“Blue Eyed Boy” stands out especially with its stylistic composure. Hazy organs and poised guitar swipes surround a chilling dual-vocal entrancement, assembling a dark Americana feeling with shades of Nick Cave. The title-touting chorus engrosses with its vocal harmonizing and ghostly textural construction. Mirage confirms that this five-piece is firmly ascending, showing stellar songwriting and stylistic fervency.
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“Blue Eyed Boy” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2023’ Spotify playlist.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup. The submitter accepted our content-based offer, which included financial compensation for our time writing, editing, and publishing this article.
