All We Are aren’t your usual suspects and neither is their self-titled debut record. The trio, originating from Ireland, Norway and Brazil, not only represent diverse nationalities, but also influences in an album that draws comparisons to a number of likely names but often falls short of completing their own package.
Running rather effortlessly from start to finish, occasional relapses into unconsciousness are not uncommon but alerts of bombarding funk hiding behind their shy exterior do get their turn to peek out from behind trembling strings. At times it feels as though the band are on the verge of tripping into a coma rather than conquering 2015 but previously released tracks, ‘Feel Safe’ and ‘Stone’ though, they could be on to something. The latter graces with deep soulful tones provided by Guro Gikling, which verge on Florence Welch vocals that spring free from the restrained shackles of tracks such as ‘Something About You’ which sound more like Snakadakatal on the brink of their break up. Similarly, ‘Go’, never really takes off until it ditches the usually impressive male and female vocal overlaps for the tickles of Casio keyboards.
‘Honey’ comes out of nowhere. It’s an indie dance floor gem strutting in platform shoes across a 70s dance floor shimmering in Bee Gees spandex. ‘I Wear You’ takes more of a backseat approach, luring to the plucky bass of Metronomy and the forward yet smooth lyrics; ‘I wear you right up on my shoulder, I wear you like this is all we had’. This awkwardly clingy nature finally blossoms as soul ridden rock riffs ooze from a shy guitar fret board. The hesitant vocals only continue in, ‘Keep Me Alive’, with lyrics, ‘I need you baby, to keep me alive’, left ringing in the ears like an uneasy outcome of a couple’s marriage therapy. If the slower tracks sounded more like a heartless break-up, this is the mending of the pieces to form an unstoppable sound.
All We Are - All We Are
Out of 10: 7/10
(@JJShreeve)