I’m not sure what it is about Seattle but it sure seems to be a breeding ground for top musical talent. Maybe there’s something in the water up there?
Lemolo is Meagan Grandall and Kendra Cox, two PNW natives that manage to create a full and rich dreamy sound between the two of them. Like Japandroids, another of my favourite bands this year, you find it difficult to imagine just two people making such a lush and complete sound (at least those of us who haven’t been lucky enough to see them live do). There’s nothing fancy or gimmicky here – simple and well-crafted songs performed well. I think it’s pretty certain that Lemolo are drinking the Seattle water.
While classifying artists into genres is often a painful and forced process, I’d guess Lemolo would be put down as ‘dream pop’. Unlike their contemporaries in this field, Lemolo possess enough variation to prevent the record slipping by as one big floaty track. Grandall’s impressively diverse vocals are strong and clear, allowing the thoughful and often passionate lyrics to be clearly followed. Meanwhile Cox’s drums cut through the ethereal melodies in the way lime completes a creamy curry. The album demands to be more than the background soundtrack that dream pop often becomes. It demands your full attention and multiple listens.
The album was released earlier this week so you can stream it from Bandcamp (below) and get the CD there too.
If you get the CD from Bandcamp, why not pick up the deluxe package which includes a screen print (see below – hand printed by Seattle artist Patrick Toney), all for $22. Thats about £15 – probably about what they will charge you in a high street store.