Festive psychedelic splendour
Irish indie rockers Sweet Jane have managed to capture the spirit of Christmas in a gorgeous two-track single featuring two parts fuzzy psychedelic splendour to two parts of festive nostalgia. ‘You’re Making This Hard’ is a fiery mix of Jesus and Mary Chain-esque murky riffs with a tight percussive beat and the melt-in-your-ears vocals of Lydia des Dolles who could put Nico to shame. The boy/girl vocal harmonies, combined with the climactic squealing guitars and pulsing rhythm make for a memorable tune. Sweet Jane may wear their influences on their sleeve, but few bands have earned the right to do so as proudly.
B-side ‘Silent Night’ is a beautiful, wistful version of the carol featuring a militant drumbeat and glassy twinkles while the whole tune is recorded with a distinctly retro feel that allows a real sense of DIY grandiosity.