It’s been a while since we heard from Sand Brothers and their album ‘Too Much Sky’ (see my review here) but in surprise announcement they are back with a new EP entitled ‘Shadows in The Square’ and it’s business as usual for these purveyors of the finest indie pop.
These track didn’t make the original album but that is certainly impressive considering the strength of songwriting. There is thematic element throughout – a sense of place and romanticism that pervade the lyrics.
The opening title track has traces of Dylan and Died Pretty with its anthemic style with sweeping strings courtesy of Dayna Roberts and soaring melodies: a thrilling opening that is euphoric and bold. The lyrics are poetic and enigmatic, prefiguring the following track by referencing Belize but exploring romanticism and searching:
I’ve got two good eyes to steal you with and I know just what I’m doing.
The bells in the old town are telling me you will be the one.
From one garden to another we dance our future into to the dust
Oh, I don’t know where those floating bridges go.
‘Hills of Belize’ settles back over jangling guitars and wailing steel guitars waving in the distance: it’s a haunting track that would set off a sea of lighters in a stadium with its ebb and flow and yearning vocals. The strings return to provide a hint of melancholy which follows the yearning sense of loss in the lyrics:
So you walked through the fire
Through the smoke and haze, through the wires, wires, wires
So you left and that’s your right
But I can’t help feeling the same
every night
All alone on the sea
Skirt the coasts on the breeze
Set me loose follow me
through the hills of Belize.
‘Five In The Afternoon’ sets off with a synth stabbing pulse and trilling guitars and stretches over seven minutes, the vocals deep and sonorous echoing across the horizon as the song builds momentum like a sparking fuse about to detonate.There is a spacey atmospheric air – again drawing in echoes of antipodean artists like Died Pretty or Underground Lovers with its psychedelic hue and ability to stir emotions and yet Sand Borther succeed in creating their own distinct sound. This is a beautiful track that is mesmerising.
‘Jungle of Love’ captures the sound of nature before its ambulant bass enters and the vocal have a soul-infused tinge – a touch of blues which puts on display the band’s versitialy and range of expression while ‘River Steps’ is a brief ghostly instrumental interlude with alt country flavour in its weeping strings exuding emotions.
The EP ends with ‘Sentimental Mood Swing’ – an apt title for something more restrained and delicate that thrills with its emotive delivery.
This is a fascinating and immersive EP that draws in a wide variety of influences from antipodean indie pop to LA/Americana and yet brings to the table an unique and thrilling series of anthemic delights. There is something of an enigma about this band: constantly operating under the radar yet continuing to produce epic statuesque songs when they raise their heads above the parapet.
‘Shadows in the Square’ is out now and available to download and stream through the link above and here.
Sand Brothers are:
Greg J. Walker – Guitars, Vocals, Synth, Percussion
Rick Sands – Guitars, Vocals, Piano
Peter Cook – Synth, Keys
Din Roberts – Bass and Moog Synth
Glen Scarlett – Drums
Dayna Roberts – Violin
