Once in a while some new music comes along that transports you back to when you first heard a new release by a band that later becomes a true classic.
Such was the occurrence on first listening to the upcoming EP release by burgeoning Scottish Alt-Popsters Acrylic.
Listening to their All I AM EP transported me back to first listens to the likes of The Blue Nile and their near incomparable release Stay. The unique vocalisings of Edwyn Collins on Rip It Up with Orange Juice or the perfect pop-song and lush vocal that is First Picture Of You by Peter Coyle and The Lotus Eaters.
Lyrically, a current of anxiety runs through the Acrylic EP with opening track, Where I Lie, exploring fragile connections, the see-saw between feelings of uncertainty in relationships, and moments of clarity and assurance.
It invites us in tentatively before growing into a tender, yet potent, howl. In Here / Tonight is perhaps the most straightforward rock track on the album, but it is not without its novel features.
The sweet percussion is irregular and off-kilter at times, dragging us back from the apparently simpler moments and from a false sense of security.
The track is juxtaposed with the sensitive and sweet Overrun which takes full advantage of the math-rock guitar tendencies purveyed by Acrylic; the primary riff draws in the listener with its mesmerising qualities.
The eponymous final track closes the EP. A 7-minute epic that traces through all the ideas of the previous three tracks, tying them into a finale of solemn; yet epic, proportions. Seek it out on Scottish Fiction Records.
It's no surprise that Brian will be featuring tracks from the Acrylic EP on the Radio KC Indie Show and that kicks off April 8th with a spin of In Here / Tonight, so remember to tune in from 5-7pm.
