Channelling the spirit of Nick Drake, Bruising, Smiling is a stunningly gentle but strangely haunting duet between Arizona singer-songwriters Francis Kelly and Nicosa. Harp-like, subtle guitar strings, barely-there atmospheric aspects and understated drums eventually give way to prominent bass tones, jazzy brushes and wobbly oscillating electronic elements.
On top of the obvious folky aspect, there is almost a Radiohead-esque quality to some of the music here – perhaps this is attributable to the Colin Greenwood and Philip Selway style rhythm section – it feels like it would’ve been as at home on A Moon Shaped Pool as it would’ve been on Black Swan.
There’s almost a Baxter Dury/Madelaine Hart quality to the vocal interplay, whilst also bringing to mind the collaboration between Bert Jansch and Hope Sandova, All This Remains. It’s ethereal, compelling and mesmerising stuff. The album it’s taken from is due to be released on May 2nd via Music Sounds Records.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
