French Possession - 'Triple A' (Single)
This reviewer has recently been indulging the darker, dourer side of his personality: iLiKETRAiNS, Joy Division and The Twilight Sad have all featured heavily. So, to change it up a little, here comes French Possession's new single, 'Triple A'. 'Triple A' consists, rather appropriately, of three new tracks, following their well-received album released in 2006, 'Foil For A Girl In A Posh Frock'.
All three songs are pleasing, upbeat and melodic, with 'Ginny' in particular standing out. What initially begins life as a lovely R&B track guided by Briony Ace's honeyed vocals and an electronica-like drumbeat morphs into a piece of strings-led orchestral pop that wouldn't have sounded out of place on The Beatles' 'Revolver'. But just as you're getting used to this sudden change in direction, we're back into the smooth soul of the opening minute, with a beautiful, tinkling piano running throughout.
Elsewhere, more evidence of The Beatles' influence isn't hard to spot, with Steve Jones' vocals on 'The Courtneys Of Ballantry' very close to Paul McCartney's own sounds. This time powered by a jaunty swing piano, reminiscent of 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' in style, the song flirts with the 'twee pop' of Belle & Sebastian, but with a singalong chorus in place of the more orchestral sounds of B&S.
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'Nothing Else Applies', the opening track of 'Triple A', is equally melodic and upbeat, and reminds me of the soulful 60s pop of Simon & Garfunkel fused with Elton John. The harmonies in particular are sweet and glorious, swooping in and out as the final refrain fades into the ether. The varied sounds and influences of French Possession make the the whole experience uplifting, carrying the listener onwards and upwards into the lightest and happiest of moods. Thoughtful and pure, this pop music goes recommended as the perfect antidote to those dark, dull and depressing days.
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