Willowen
Album: Willowen
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: https://www.facebook.com/willowenuk/info

Quirky is one of those words that can conjure up so many different images. It's a word to describe something with character, a quirky coffee bar isn't a corporate thing, it's down to an individual's taste and if you like that individual's taste, quirky is where it's at, otherwise it's a little odd and odd is a whole different ball game. Quirky and odd, now that's a combination if you can pull it off and Bournemouth based three piece, Willowen do just that.

In relative terms they are a young trio, guitar, cajon and fiddle with Jonny Phillips taking the vocal lead and George Fullerton and Jasmine Watkiss providing the backing vocals and occasionally stepping up to the lead. What I find really god about Willowen though is that their sound really incorporates their environment. There's a surf element to some of their sound, with a nice retro, almost sixties feel to it and even when in more of a chill down mode if feels like a sunset beach party maybe gathered around a smoky bonfire of driftwood. There is a goodtime element to their narrative, monsters and swimming pools like a Roy Lichtenstein turned into folky pop and done in such a way that it sounds fresh and original, even wearing those influences on their sleeves.

Having already make a real impact at Purbeck Folk Festival and Larmer Tree, where the beat hundreds of other bands to make the final of "The Larmer Tree Breakthrough Awards" they have become a band that really does deserve to get attention based on merit and if there's any justice, "Willowen" will do that for them.

Willowen's self titled album shows that Dorset have got a band that's capable of making acoustic orientated pop that sounds like it's destined for festivals and arenas. Music to have a good time to? Why wouldn't you.

Neil King