8

An 'Also Ran' Of The Music World

London based Anglo - Norwegian four piece CoStar offer a pleasant slice of jangly indie pop from their forthcoming album, 'Exit'.

Sounding a little like Snow Patrol with an odd Del Amitri vibe channelling its way through, 'This Awakening' is a song that embraces the melodic indie pop of the mid 90s and then inoffensively sprinkles a pop hook between organic vocals before dropping in a jangle of riffs. Pleasant to the ear, 'This Awakening' has a Sunday morning vibe residing firmly amongst its indie mentality as its laid back, unthreatening stance merrily sweeps over you. The only down side to this is the threat that it may just as easily be swept aside and overlooked, a fact that would be a shame if the other tracks included on the single release are anything to go by.

'Special' stands out in particular as a menacing bass line and gloom filled vocals lead into a dark and moody track that is about as far from the chilled atmosphere of 'This Awakening' as you can get. Unfortunately it may need more than this to stop CoStar becoming an 'also ran'in the music world.