Needs More Work
Working With Kenzi are a four-piece bands from Leeds, England. 'Magpie' is their debut release, a single taken from their self-titled EP which will be out in January.
The band's press release optimistically describes 'Magpie' as 'instantly likeable', rather a shame as to the unbiased listener it is 'instantly amateur'. Their female vocalist does possess some talent, reminding one of Pretty Girls Make Graves' Andrea Zollo or Portishead's Beth Gibbons. Musically however, the track leaves a lot to be desired, its instrumental section is largely composed of repetitively riffing guitars and drums played with a level of enthusiasm one usually expects only to be displayed by supermarket checkout staff. That said, there are a few shining moments of melody, largely within the track's opening and closing half minutes, and thus the song does not leave an impression of a band entirely without promise.
B-side 'Love On A Shoestring' once again instantly highlights that this is a single made on a shoestring - in terms of its sound quality if nothing else. Again, the vocals are strong and here have a folk edge demonstrating versatility in the band's vocalist. The pace is slower, softer and driven by endless guitars strummed in a manner so lazy the listener begins to suspect the band are wishing they were elsewhere. The track putts along like an old bus for a while before coming to a faltering stop, leaving no lasting memory. Overall, the track is formulaic and appears to be a filler, not something that generates enthusiasm for the band's forthcoming EP.