Olive Grove Records is a label I love. It has a beautifully diverse range of artists from the magnificent soundscapes produced by the wonderful Call To Mind to the supremely catchy pop folk of Skinny Dipper. New signings Henry & Fleetwood are a welcome addition to the label's roster and their debut e.p. On The Forest Floor is an intriguing and quite lovely release.
Henry & Fleetwood are a duo comprising Martin Henry of De Rosa and Gillian Fleetwood of State Broadcasters. The e.p, as the title and cover art (above) belie, has a pastoral feel throughout with songs that evoke the Scottish countryside, viewing it as an escape from the day to day drag of urban life. Combining harp, acoustic guitars and synths, the songs sound like a soundtrack to a lost weekend in a quiet rural part of the country but that's not to say this is an e.p. that doesn't posses a certain power or darkness. All four tracks (On The Forest Floor, Forestry, Timber, Perfect Mess) manage to sound melancholic yet uplifting at the same time and, as you all know, that is what makes the very best music. Timber is my favourite track from the e.p. with its combination of folk and pop producing something quite unique but, overall the release works best heard as one piece rather than individual tracks. Repeated listens reveal more and more layers to the tracks too - this is very clever and very impressive music.
On The Forest Floor is out on Olive Grove Records on 13 April on limited edition cd and download. There is also an e.p. release show tomorrow, April 11, at The Glad Cafe.
Olive Grove Records Facebook https://www.facebook.com/olivegroverecords?fref=ts
Henry & Fleetwood Facebook https://www.facebook.com/henryandfleetwood?fref=ts
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