Fortitude Valley have appeared three times on the Listening To This Week Playlist over the past few months, more than anyone else since its inception. That is a testament to the quality of the singles and so you know that the album is gonna be a winner and it is with balls on.
There's no front loading here, those three singles are spread across the album, Oceans Apart closing it. You do realise that The Beths finally have a competitor. Our mates at Add To Want List mentioned The Gogo's, but Laura Kovic's sugar sweet vocal gets close to the likes of Rachel Sweet.
It does vitalise the senses, particularly in the denseness and vindictiveness in the UK. Brownie Points too from us for being from Durham in the North Of England. However, the album does sound very American at times. Interesting that the two female led bands that threaten to dominate the States are not from the US.
This is Guitar Pop of the highest quality. Melodic, riff led with big memorable choruses, jaunty without ever being sickly. The songs are also beautifully performed and arranged, the four band members all add their parts wonderfully.
The Guitar parts are very inventive and the rhythm section holds everything together magnificently, happy to lead or stay in the background. The focus will rightly be on Kovic and she adores the cover, but this is a band effort throughout, bringing a spotlight to her songwriting.
The whole album is a sort of antidote to the likes of Garbage, showing that Indie doesn't have to be all about noise. Unusually, I haven't mentioned any of the songs as any of these 10 beauties will be adored. The world needs more joy, Fortitude Valley provide it with Spades.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.
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