The Solid and the Hollow - Album Review by The Active Listener...

 

"The Junipers have gifted us with yet another instant classic. Absolutely essential listening for anyone with an ear for timeless pop music."

Great to see a new release from another of our old favourites, this time Leicester’s The Junipers. 

I've loved everything they've released, and that status quo remains unchanged here. If anything, they're getting better.

The Junipers are one of those bands whose albums sound very carefully crafted in the studio, but also give the impression that if you wandered into their rehearsal space on any given Sunday afternoon you’d hear something with equal polish. It all sounds so natural and unlaboured that it’s hard to reconcile these guys having to go off and do day jobs as it sounds like they do this 24/7. It’s unjust for someone to do something this well and not be able to earn a full time living from it. 

But what does it sound like you ask? A more democratic Wings. A contemporary Honeybus. A more pastoral Teenage Fanclub. Just go and listen to it.

With The Solid and The Hollow, the Junipers have gifted us with yet another instant classic. Absolutely essential listening for anyone with an ear for timeless pop music.  

Buy on vinyl, CD or digital here!

The Solid and the Hollow - Album Review by Power Popaholic..

"There are lots of great moments within the songs that evoke a mood akin to a bright summer day"

Robyn Gibson (lead guitar, vocals) says it best, “… it became a kind of nostalgia trip,” and the band’s fifth album keeps those stylistic touches that recall The Beatles, The Association, and The Free Design. “Oneless” is a subtle opener, with Gibson’s gentle vocal leading the way. It’s the template for most of the songs to follow, with the exceptions being the driving bass line lead on the psyche-pop of “When She Turns” and spacey synths on “Fishes.”

There are lots of great moments within the songs that evoke a mood akin to a bright summer day. “She Makes The Sun Shine” is especially buoyant with a rhythm line akin to The Beatles’ “Rain.” “Meadow Song” has a wonderful mix of keys, guitars, and layered sounds, and slowly builds into something great. “Swan” is another breezy melody that wallows in the dreamlike atmosphere, with subtleties in the harmonies that audiophiles will appreciate. If you fell in love with this band from their super catchy ‘Euphonious Trolley’ EP, this album is its spiritual cousin. Highly Recommended.