We’ve featured Novella a few times over the last couple of years after catching them on tour with Dum Dum Girls. Their debut album ‘Land’ has been a long time coming but based on the first track to emerge , ‘Land Gone’ it sounds like it will have been worth the wait.
The quintet consisting of dual guitarists Hollie Warren and Sophy Hollington, alongside bassist Suki Sou, Iain Laws on drums and newest recruit keyboardist Isabel Spurgeon sound more focussed than ever, with a spiralling, slice of electrifying pop-gaze. They still sound like a classic 4AD band, in the vein of Lush or Pale Saints (especially when Meriel Barham replaced Ian Masters’ somewhat ‘insubstantial’ whimpering ), but the delivery and arrangements are the hallmark of a band who subtly use their influences to build their own sound. ‘Land Gone’ does sound like a big leap forward sonically and suggests Novella have a newfound sense of cohesion and confidence. It also benefits from having the vocals pushed higher up the mix and the captivating fusion of shimmering coruscating guitars, set against understated shoegaze atmospherics and ending with a mini psych-jam. Utterly marvellous.
‘Land’ is due out on Sinderlyn, Captured Tracks’ sister label, on 12th May.
NOVELLA LAND TRACKLISTING
Follow
Something Must Change
Sentences
Two Ships
Land Gone
Phrases
Blue Swallows
Younger Than Yesterday
Again You Try Your Luck
Skies Open
Photos By Sam Hiscox