Album Review: Brontës - Brontës

 

Brontës music enters the fray on a warm summer breeze igniting a passion for simple jangly tunes to brighten up any day. Five years into an existence as an active 4-piece band, this self-titled debut album puts a spotlight on a Glasgow combo with a knack of spinning an indie pop tune rinsed with familiar temptations. 

Each track puts an extra building block in place to assemble a decent length record awash with hooks and adorable moments of aural pleasure. Brontës convey a DIY essence free from inhibitions, smoothing the path for a batch of deletable songs to hit the mark. A youthful zest decorates a sound threaded with a timeless appeal, think sixties pop spiked with new wave sentiment brought up to date with shades of modernity. College vibes mingle with record store intensity set to the background of a festival field, whatever the setting this ten track album gives plenty by turning a minimalist base into a satisfying entity.

The band has the classic pop/rock make up - Eva on vocals/guitar, Erin on guitar/vocals, Katie on bass and Amelia on drums/vocals. Collectively they create a forceful proposition fighting their corner with a stellar sound and songs of substance.

The album has had a lengthy build up with lead track and first single ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ raising the temperature in the dying days of last summer. Several months later it still sparkles as a leader of a pack with escalating riffs and a killer melody. The band has also been smart with other single releases.’Asking for a Friend’, ‘Wouldn’t Be Me’ and ‘San Francisco’ are each up there with the album’s best, though there is barely a lull in the 38 minute-listening time.

Ironically, this quartet form the first four tracks in the running order though plenty of jewels are on offer in the remaining content. This includes the superb freewheeling ‘Thelma and Louise’ that could easily have been chosen as a single. Likewise ‘Bad Manners’ will leave you humming the chorus. The infectious rhythm is relentless right up to the extended buoyancy of classy closer ‘Jigsaw’ that leaves you satisfied for now but eager for more soon. 

Photo credit Stephanie Gibson

Brontës music encompasses a malleable appeal. Mainstream cordiality widens the scope, yet there are snippets of intrinsic focus that could be picked up by progressive movements under banners such as contemporary roots, indie folk or even Americana. Eventually fate will settle where things land attracting fans with shared ideals along the way. Opening the window to let in the sounds of a heralded debut album is highly recommended with precious memories evoked in its midst. 

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