Total Guitar described this band as being ”like a dreamier version of The National“ which is, if we're honest, what got us up off our arses and down to The
Notting Hill Arts Club to see Black Soul Strangers. It is also, if we're even more honest, a
bizarre way to describe the band unless the only song of theirs they'd heard was The Haunting. Which could well be the case.
This is not to say we weren't mightily impressed by this Dublin-based foursome. The boys entertained us like the pros they will soon be hailed as, with an
exceptionally well-rehearsed set of tracks from their new album, Animate. Crystal clear vocals adorned each new tune, bang on pitch. X Factor producers take note:
autotune not required when musicians are in possession of genuine talent.
Our only complaint is that not every track will be to your taste, thanks to their
wavering from genre to genre. The majority of the set (including their first single, Lies) is a little bit, dare we say it? Emo. Which appeals to an entirely different crowd to the indie-ish
The Haunting. After that lot, ”this next one's a hip-hop track“ took us by surprise, naturally. Still good though.
Between banter with an over-excitable Irish girl, and brief spouts of
inter-band piss-taking, the guys appeared to enjoy the gig as much as we did. Good job too, seeing as there'll be plenty more live dates for them if they keep this up.
Black Soul Strangers' album, Animate, is out now.
blacksoulstrangers.com
