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Jul 31, 2017 Issue #61 - Grizzly Bear By Stephen Mayne

There’s something rather pleasing about an album called Earl Grey from a band named Girl Ray. The debut from the North London trio of Poppy Hankin, Iris McConnell, and Sophie Moss is also pleasing, though not quite memorable enough to stay the course.

It’s almost odd to label a record so downbeat pleasing. Heartbreak and associated suffering certainly play heavily here across 12 tracks. The trio manage to pull it off by settling into a catchy lo-fi pop groove. Hankin can also croon in her own unique way, best demonstrated during epic 13-minute centerpiece “Earl Grey (Stuck in a Groove)” which finds her repeating “Baby never, never let me down” before a slow jam takes over.

Elsewhere that heartbreak continues to unspool. “Stupid Things” works through the kind of behavior inspired by infatuation, concluding “Just to feel close to you/I’ve never done so many stupid things.” It’s kind of sad, but languorous guitar work from Hankin, matched impeccably by Moss’ bass makes it easy to step past emotional despair. This may be a record of sad songs, but it’s always one underscored by a deep love of pop staples like Todd Rundgren. They even gave a copy of “I Saw the Light” as a reference point to the person mixing “Stupid Things.”

In the end it makes for easy, ever so plaintive, and often breezy listening. Girl Ray manage to go in one ear comfortably, and the out the other a little too quickly. (www.girlray.bandcamp.com)

Author rating: 6.5/10