13

Holding on for brighter, happier days, 27 produce real musical beauty with their new album.

Imagine gentle, chilled out summer evenings, days spent lunging lazily in some random meadow, staring at the sky as the sun slowly sets casting a mild golden light across the surrounding landscape and the wind blows gently, creating musical harmony between the leaves of the surrounding trees. Imagine the kind of mellow, chilled out and atmospheric relaxing music you would desire on such a day and already you have put the delicate sound of 27's new album 'Holding on to brighter days' into perspective. Fronted by the mellow and exquisite feminine voice of Maria Christopher, 27 pleasantly rock on, keeping a timely swing to their music and an oddly mellow, calming melody structure all the way through that makes them heavily distinguishable. 27 will take you on a subtle yet wonderfully relaxing spiritual journey through the versatility of music. With heavy bass lines displaying a highly skilled river of technique that is constantly flowing the sorrowful weeping guitars and drives with restraint yet efficiency. Ranging from melancholy and beautiful acoustic ballads that marry gorgeous vocals with wistful piano chords that touch the heart and soul, to cheerful and upbeat rocky numbers that outline the thirst and lust for life felt by so many on those carefree summer days and capturing a feeling of elation and sense of freedom reminiscent of the first experience of summer love. Whatever the genre though, one this is certain, Maria's voice is perfectly suited to everything she does, boosting flexibility and feeling, Maria's voice is gentle, delicate and feminine and carries you on a romantic, serene journey through laid back summery songs of pure love and devotion, purring on with a musical quality alike to Azure Ray, whose lead singer Maria's voice bears striking resemblance to.

The opening track sees an upbeat blending on synthesised, distorted strings and mesmerising bass that teams up with the smooth, gentle melody of Maria's beautiful vocals to create a gentle serenade of mellow, lazy romanticism. The title 'Louder than words' is very apt for the song in all it's quiet nature because the emotion in the lyrics and the structure of the music completely speaks for itself and sets the mood for a serene and emotive album. The following track 'Heaven owes me one' sees an acoustic approach to wistful longing and captures a sense of loss that could not be better expressed if it had been heavier. Piano and acoustic guitar drive remorsefully along while the vocals smoothly weave in and out of the melodic dance, soothing and calming the soul. Here an image of a crisp, sunny autumn afternoon come to mind, ensnaring the gentle melancholic mood and the hidden beauty within these sounds as the guitar lazily drifts along. '1001 Gods' sees a slightly darker approach to their mellow outlook on sound. heavily sobering and grieving in sound, gentle and depressing lyrics add a sense of loss into the music. The passive drone of the synth and restraint of the gentle tapping of a snare drum suggests that this song may be about death or dying romance and the grieving that follows. Intriguingly dark, the gentle tweaking of acoustic guitar, remorseful drones of a synthesized organ combined with quiet and enticing vocals ensnares the mind with an unrivalled sense of curiosity.

'A Million Years' sees heavy influence of bass and strategic drum rolls to create a real ambient sense of atmosphere. The music pushes on like an advancing storm, clouds of rhythm overshadowing the vocals horizons and wrapping them gently in satin melodies so smooth they flow off one another. It would seem that heavy U2 influences lay within this song as the bass and guitar come into their own and the lyrics speak of regrets and wonders. The song is deliciously smooth and intriguing and one listen will have you under their spell. Equally the touching 'Half life' cries out the sheer disappointment and rejection of un requited loved. As Maria sings on, the sheer force of the love she feels within the song coupled with the melancholic resounding of minor piano chords are enough to make you cry and will heal and soothe the soul of anyone who can relate. 'Half life' simply for it's pure feeling and suffering is the highlight of this gentle and sensitive album.

'Holding on for Brighter Days' provides that extra bit of strength for those who feel lost and alone, replacing a sense of inner beauty and resilience for those who feel they cannot carry on. Emotive and beautiful, this album follows hot on the heels of the split ep with Twin Zero and is set to be their finest work to date, definitely one to catch.