Twin Beds

Everything about the Rosie Taylor Project should scream twee. From their enigmatic moniker (none of their six members bear that name), to their delicately quaint boy/girl harmonies, to the wistful "poetry corner" song titles of "Last Drinks at Niagara Bar" and "A Walk by Moonlight." But despite appearing to tick off every box on the cutesy folk checklist, the Leeds-based 6Music favorites' second album, Twin Beds, is a much more palatable affair than their Noah & the Whale-esque formula would suggest. Produced by Wild Beasts' Richard Formby, the follow-up to 2008's This City Draws Maps even kicks off with an unexpected slice of atmospheric trip-hop that wouldn't sound out of place on the XX's debut. Its subsequent 11 tracks may stick to more familiar territory, but apart from the lift music vibes of "Every Morning (And for the Rest of Our Lives)" and the incidental instrumental, "A Young Couple in the Street," they manage to combine kitchen sink heartbreak with a contrastingly uplifting chamber pop sound to enchanting effect. The danceable foot-stomping beats, bouncy acoustic hooks, and triumphant brass sections of lead single "Sleep" evokes Jack Peñate's excursions into Balearic folk-pop, "Lovers or Something Like It" blends wistful, lullaby-esque melodies with jangly Afro-beat guitars to produce a surprisingly groovy slice of melancholic indie, while frontman Jonny Davies' pathos-laden way with words are best showcased on the gorgeously regretful dream pop of "The Last Happy Writer." Unassuming and understated it may be, but there's a bit of bite on Twin Beds which prevents it from being just another cosy hipster affair. ~ Jon O'Brien|