poppedmusic

The Joy Of Waiting

Released: February 23rd 2015

Words: Jimmy Gallagher

The well travelled world of Sara Lowes stands still, but only for a second whilst her third studio album, The Joy Of Waiting Is released. This lady is very well respected by her peers and has worked with the UK’s finest in particular King Creosote and Tindersticks. For some reason unknown, she has not received the success in sales or exposure that her talents deserve, but then isn’t that always the case nowadays?

This album is an enlightening box of tricks in aural performance art and it is executed with vibrancy and with little regard for the concept of subtlety. Lowes was an art student and you never would have guessed listening to this as her avant garde pop powers the record from its less than humble beginning.

The title track introduces Lowes exuberant imagination as piano and strings waltz with each other beckoning the addition of medieval wood wind until the narrow dance hall explodes out into blinding sunlight and prog like organ parts.

Most Things sees Lowes take the mantle of Nico, but with a singing voice drawing comparisons with her contemporary Cate Le Bon. Lowes is certainly partial to the use of an organ which is substituted for piano in the fantastic JB Priestley. Her voice swings like a trapeze in the most infectious of chorus lines, BUT then. The organ again. By no means is it predictable however, the organ acts as an ad-libbing cameo to strengthen the feeling of funk experimentation.

Bells, chimes, violins and an array of wood wind instruments are perceived as vital brush strokes of colour in her impressionist world. Who couldn’t forgive Sara Lowes for some self indulgence? After payingher dues as a session musician for years and as a backing musician for many others in her former band, The Earlies.

It all gets a bit too much in Chapman Of Rymes as the different parts fight against each other rather than complimenting as they did so well prior to this track. The album stumbles slightly here and Lowes struggles to find her feet through With A Mirror. Even the masters of dislocated pop madness Deerhoof, would have wondered how the time signatures could have become so aimlessly askew.

The Joy Of Waiting recovers handsomely and the very odd is replaced with the odd and that works fine. Little Fishy is an amusing ramble that will refuse to move from your subconscious.

One thing is for certain with this album: you will keep returning to it, if not from intrigue then because it is entertaining, and that is what music is for, isn’t it? Compelling listening that glues you to your seat until you hear what the hell is coming next.