Indie trio Our Girl comprising of singer-guitarist Soph Nathan (The Big Moon), drummer Lauren Wilson and bassist Joshua Tyler showed they are a force to be reckoned with on their 2018 debut LP ‘Stranger Today’. While Soph Nathan has in the interim been working with The Big Moon, the group have come together to release their follow-up ‘The Good Kind’, does it deliver on fan expectations, a resounding yes. The album was produced by alt-rock titan John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehouse) with Nathan’s Big Moon bandmate Fern Ford and Nathan herself. Initially recorded at Rockfield Studios, extra work was done at Ford’s home studio.
Opener ‘It’ll Be Fine’ really allows each member a moment in the spotlight and demonstrates how harmonious the band’s sound is, each part complimenting the rest. There is a lightness to it and an intimacy, accompanied by some gorgeous strings. ‘What You Told Me’ packs more of a punch with a thunderous opening riff that really showcases Nathan’s versatility as a guitarist, something fans of The Big Moon will know well. It is impressive how the trio are able to balance the rougher sound while retaining a sense of calm, building to a an expansive conclusion.
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‘Who Do You Love’ opens with a propulsive drumbeat from Wilson with Tyler’s bassline grooving underneath and a shimmering riff from Nathan on top, again showing how in sync the trio are. Nathan again lets loose in the final moments with a fine solo. The title track brings a softer side with some gorgeous melodic guitar work, again showing a more expansive soundscape alongside this and it is impressive how well they are able to balance the two.
‘Something About Me Being A Woman’, as the title suggests has wry lyrics and the sound skews closer to shoegaze than some of the other tracks, especially with Nathan’s luminous guitar work. Relief is one of the album’s highlights, showing some impressive basslines from Tyler and harmonies with Marika Hackman and Art School Girlfriend contributing backing vocals.
‘The Good Kind’ is full of dynamism and energy with pounding riffs and basslines. The trio are clearly revelling working together again on their sophomore LP, delivering on what fans might expect and showing the role each member plays. Nathan shows her virtuoso guitar talent putting her often in the spotlight and more than up to the task. This is an incredibly exciting LP that fans of the group’s debut will lap up and will hopefully win over new fans.
8/10
Words: Christopher Connor
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