Russell Swallow And The Wolf
Album: Sunrise Mountain
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 6
Website: http://www.rsatw.co.uk

Charming six-track debut from the Walthamstow multi-instrumentalist who's finding the bright young things are starting to notice of his sophisticated vocals and poetic, well-crafted songs.

Christmas Eve, the opening track, put me in mind of Noah & the Whale's first incarnation and makes full use of Jess Kennedy's backing vocals. Home owes something to Neil Young in the vocal department, but is also notable for Swallow's lovely guitar runs in the intro.

Alison Jones' violin helps bring to life the everyday tale of a lover's insecurity on Paper Aeroplanes - "some bridges torch themselves some beg to burn," he reminds us; while Newfound Shore looks to Nick Drake/John Martyn for inspiration finding beauty in the town and the country with a desperately fragile but always controlled lead vocal. The record closes with What Am I Supposed To Do?, a carefully constructed entreaty that recalls Fleet Foxes and Patrick Wolf.

Russell Swallow is a name to register - there is clearly much more to come from the fellow.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk