If you’re feeling optimistic and are looking to brighten up your record collection in preparation for the arrival of some warmer weather, then Unbekannt, the new EP from Becky and the Lunar Orchestra might just be exactly what you need.
Parallels can be drawn between the music made by the Edinburgh based six piece and that of artists such as Lianne La Havas and Corinne Bailey Rae.
At the first chord of ‘Cabaret’ the listener is flung into summer, which is a song that epitomises everything that a relaxed, feel good track should be; it sets your toes tapping, is bound to lift even the most stubborn of bad moods and comes complete with an a cappella clapping gospel-style section.
It’s clear that although vocalist Sikasa has a truly brilliant voice, it’s the rich texture of the music that makes the band special, with the depth of the arrangements creating a precise and credible sound.
A similar musical style is presented in ‘Plastic Toys’, a smooth waltz-like track with honest lyrics and a quirky outlook.
After these two tracks you could be forgiven for beginning to worry that this record might amount to nothing more than an easy on the ear summer soundtrack, which of course would be fine, but bitterly disappointing in this case considering the band’s potential.
However these fears are proven unfounded by ‘Questioning,’ a track with true emotional complexity, which is fairly simple in a lyrical sense, but is delivered with a powerful combination of dynamic and soul.
The EP concludes with ‘Madrigal’, a beautifully heartfelt track that feels a world away from the record’s sunshine soaked opening.
In many ways Unbekannt is a perfectly crafted record, in that each of the four tracks contribute something different to the EP as a whole, whether that be in terms of mood, style or musicality.
With Becky and the Lunar Orchestra already producing such a polished sound, surely we can set our hopes high in anticipation of what delights an album might bring.
Words: Ellen Renton
