Ethereal folk, classic 70s storytelling and the atmospheric flair of spirit jazz: Siblings are back with a new single that captures their signature sound.
Release Date: 17th January 2025
Label: Self Release
Formats: Digital
It’s just over a year since Siblings, the South London folk etherealists, first came to our attention, when we were thoroughly charmed by the four tracks of their debut EP, In Heaven. At the time, I remarked how much that first small taste of what Siblings had to offer had whetted my appetite for more and now – at last – I’m pleased to report that there IS more. New single The Garden is another small morsel, but it’s enough to keep us going for the time being, until the main course of the inevitable full-length album arrives. Surely, that can’t be too far away?
THE EPITOME OF WHAT WE’VE COME TO EXPECT
Siblings – Theo DW (vocals and guitar), Rob Fenner (guitar and keys), Ben Andrewes (drums), Matthew Willett (sax) and Michael Webb (bass) were forged during that blazing hot summer of 2022 (anybody remember ‘blazing hot?’) They describe their sound as a blend of “…ethereal folk, 70s storytelling and the atmospheric flair of spirit jazz;” there was plenty evidence of each element of that cocktail on show on the In Heaven EP and, happily, the elements are equally vivid within the grooves of The Garden. Indeed, I’d go as far as to say that The Garden is the epitome of what we’re coming to expect from Siblings – and that’s not, in any way, a suggestion that their sound is formulaic. It certainly isn’t.
MELLOW & DREAMY
Ben’s sharp drumbeat provides the intro, the outro and the anchor upon which Michael’s warm bass and Rob’s soothing piano combine to set a welcoming, summery scenario. The guitars, when the cut in, are warm and uplifting and the instrumental tableau is completed by the discreet splashes of Rob’s synth. Theo’s vocals are wonderfully mellow and dreamy and the ethereal element is particularly evident in lines like: “Find me in the garden, find me in your life; find me in the garden, or a river of light.”
Pristine production is becoming another hallmark of any Siblings product (the band have drummer Ben to particularly thanks for that) and, with The Garden, they’ve hit the jackpot once again. The sound is crystal clear: the instruments and voices are all perfectly balanced and there’s an immediacy to the production that hints at a well-captured live performance.
Ethereal folk, classic 70s storytelling and the atmospheric flair of spirit jazz? Yep – all are present and correct. The Garden is an excellent single. More, please…
Watch Siblings’ woozy, self-made video to The Garden here:
And watch Martha Rose-Bailey’s film of Siblings performing The Garden live at Strange Melody recording, here:
Siblings online: Instagram / TikTok
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Categories: Single Review
