Neil Walker & Rachel Horner (Velma, The Hays) have made their long-awaited return as a new collaborative project by the name of WARD. After plays on Radio 1 from Steve Lamaq and John Peel with Velma and The Hays, the duo went their separate ways and played elsewhere with different people but like all good duos, they’ve returned with a new album, ‘The Rules’ after 6 years apart.
I was genuinely surprised to learn that WARD are a duo as their sound is one of echoing and reverberating full sounds. Their new album The Rules begins with an almost nostalgic sounding guitar riff which is later joined by the angelic voice of Horner showcasing a captivating pairing of varied musicianship and accomplished vocals.
Rhythms vary throughout this album, a factor that certainly enhances and compliments the dreamy reverberation of the instruments as sleepy guitar and upbeat drums co-exist. The stand out track on the album is ‘These are the Rules’ with its catchy chorus and creative use of rhythm to ascend, descent and ascend again taking you through a series of foot-tapping and head-bobbing. ‘City Lives’ is another track that will absolutely be on my summer playlist because of its easy verses and mellow sunshine chorus.
WARD are definitely one to watch for 2019, you will without doubt see me at their next show.
Check Out: https://www.facebook.com/soundsofward/
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