A stunning debut from SXSW darlings
One of the successes of this years SXSW and Glastonbury festivals, Phantom Limb finally release their debut album. Delicate and soulful, opener Don’t Say A Word is both heartbreaking and comforting at once, combining classic southern country, Gospel, soul, and Americana. Straight away the harmonies draw you in, and the breathtaking beauty of singer Yolanda Quartey’s voice both compliments and contrasts with the mixture of influences in the music. Good harmonies are hard to do, and Phantom Limb have them down perfectly; not overpowering, but clear and brilliant.
There’s something eternal in the lyrics and delivery of songs like 'Withering Bones', that make them sound fresh and yet as if they’ve always been around. There are clear singles and album tracks, but none that could be described as filler. All the way through, there’s a melancholy yet hopeful sound to the tracks that means that if you’re after something totally upbeat, this isn’t for you. This delivers something deeper; a far more emotionally rounded approach to music and lyric writing. Sentimental without being sweet, contrasting tough and tender throughout. It sounds something like you’d find from the Deep South…rather than, um, Bristol. And not a million miles away from the mood created by the Plant/Krauss collaboration Raising Sand.
There’s enough here to keep almost everyone entranced, from indie kids to the one-album-a-year mums. You can listen intently and soak up every note, but it’s not so taxing that you can’t drift in and out as you please. And even the most idle listener with still find themselves belting out 'I’ll Never Be The Same Again'.
If you’re put off by the thought of good ole country music, banjos, and slide guitars you’ll be pleased to know that the sheer power of the vocals will completely allay your fears on tracks like 'My Love Has Gone'. There’s none of the showy vocal gymnastics of what passes for soul music these days, nothing that would distract from the storytelling in the words, much to their credit. And the music is suitably restrained enough whilst still creating a wall of sound for Quartey’s vocals to play off.
This is an incredible album and one of the best debuts ever. And that’s not something to say lightly.