Foxes is in actual fact just one – Louisa Rose Allen.
The Southampton-born 22 year-old followed her big sister to London the day she turned 18. She tried her hand at studying music, but dropped out when she realised it wasn’t the studying part that she enjoyed.
With ‘Youth’ (and its mournful b-side ‘Home’, and the resulting remixes) having so far garnered over a million combined Soundcloud and YouTube plays, and 1,250 Hypemachine ‘likes’ between them, it’s unlikely she’ll be heading back to class any time soon.
Now she returns with its eagerly awaited follow up, the Warrior EP, led by the dual-pronged attack of lead songs ‘Warrior’ and ‘White Coats’ (Neon Gold Records).
We had a listen to Warrior by Foxes – and here’s what we thought:
Opening [title] track ‘Warrior’ begins with sequined keys and glistening percussion. The vocal rises gently, almost gurgling with the beat, until it reaches a highborn plateau. ‘The wheels are movin’ …” lyrics keep the process moving forward. Like windmill sails turning in the sweetest of breezes -the fluidity of movement, contrasted with the nervy agitation, is captivating and heart-warming.
‘White Coats’ has a throaty bass-line and the deftest licks of silvery voice you could ever imagine. An interesting and quixotic melody grabs your pith – and hooks itself deep down inside. Feathery, scruffy rhythms add a magical dimension to the lightness of being; And the voice, anxious towards the end: “I need to know you’re around…” takes this song into much more dramatic territory.
‘In Her Arms’ has a sighing buzz to it. Downhearted, shallow pans of sound, create shimmering patterns for the faltering voice of Foxes. This is like the pain of jealousy, written onto vellum, and folded for another day.
The Warrior EP also includes ‘Let Go For Tonight’ (Demo).This is a stunning piece that has an urgent piano accompaniment and vocals that startle and shine. It reminds us very much of ‘Florence and the Machine’ in scope and passion. The clawing ‘ “I need to let it go ….” chorus will defeat you with it’s sad logic. This song has a burning and desolate core.
-© Neil_Mach January 2013 –
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