Fortune Teller

Awash with wistful, romantic lyrics and breezy guitar jangle, Londons Night Flowers made a winning impression on their 2018 debut, Wild Notion. Greg Ullyart, Chris Hardy, Sam Lenthall, and Zebedee Budworth originally formed the band in Humberside before moving south to the capitol where they recruited American singer Sophia Petitt to complete their lineup. The sound they make together flirts with the misty borders of dream pop, but ultimately plays like a cleaner and more straightforward take on classic indie pop. Guitarist Ullyart shares some of the lead vocals with the dulcet-toned Pettit, making for some amiable interplay and sweet harmonies. Appearing a little over a year after their debut, Fortune Teller is Night Flowers second full-length and sees the band shifting even more toward a mainstream sound with clear, full production from drummer Budworth and arrangements that fall somewhere between soft rock and the more earnest side of 80s college rock. Clocking in at around 27 minutes, its a relatively brief affair, but they work hard to make each of the eight tracks count. Songs like Lotta Love, Merry-Go-Round, and the title cut and are stuffed with inviting melodies, gentle hooks, and warm little details. The overall sound is guitar-driven but touched up throughout with tasteful keyboard flourishes and a handful of lush backing vocal sections. As a whole, Fortune Teller is a nicely-produced outing with songs that grow increasingly warmer with repeat spins. ~ Timothy Monger

2018年のフル・アルバム『Wild Notion』を引っ提げた来日公演を経て、今春にはHomecomingsとのUKツアーも敢行した、ロンドン発の男女5人組シューゲイズ～ドリーム・ポップ・バンドが2作目をリリース。ミッドテンポの心地良い表題曲"Fortune Teller"からも窺えるように、夢見心地で儚いサウンドは健在。ヴォーカルのソフィアが放つ淡い歌声とコーラスのコントラストが何ともドラマティックだ。
bounce (C)中井幹代