‘Some Day We Will Part Forever’ is a fine debut EP with 3 good tracks and one absolute gem.
OOSTERDOK are Jay Line and Becky Naylor; Jay produces, writes the music and words while Becky sings them. They met in a second-hand book shop, nearly coming to blows over the last copy of a sought after book. It’s a telling anecdotal story as this is cerebral music that hits the head before touching the heart. There’s a brave and on the whole successful attempt to create a distinctive sound, a kind of pastoral folktronica that Becky’s clipped and politely phrased singing (reminding me of Sarah Nixey) perfectly matches.
We’ll start with the second track ‘You Won’t See Me In Heaven’ that starts like something by Phillip Glass but emerges as a melancholic prayer, bringing to mind the softer moments of Depeche Mode, the rich analogue melodica of Air and a touch of Kraftwerk. Depeche Mode/Yazoo are stronger in the mix of ‘PSirens’ but there’s also a touch of 70’s prog-synth in the instrumental breaks and a hint of Gothic melodrama. The last track ‘Highuponahilltop’ is a gentle lullaby that builds over the music-box melody which changes key as the songs grows and develops.
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The sparkler is the first track ‘Bob’s Last Day’ that brings all the unusual elements of OOSTERDOK’s sound into clear focus. There’s some Ladytron and Stereolab in here but the song is their own through and through. Jay’s unusual lyrics about Bob’s anger and impotence in the face of the madness of the world are given a fittingly chilly presentation by Becky in the verse but find redemption in the beautifully warm harmonies of the chorus.
Early days for these two and I have a feeling that this debut EP still only represents tentative steps towards emerging as a musical force. Becky has a strong musical background herself and I hope that her classical leanings and individual skills on various instruments are allowed to help OOSTERDOK’s sound develop. A follow-up EP is expected in the summer and is keenly awaited by this reviewer.
www.oosterdok.com
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