Edinburgh based Song, by Toad Records have a great reputation for releasing innovative and exciting collaborative records. Both Cold Seeds and Farewell, Bastard Mountain were musical projects that brought together talented musicians and songwriters to create new and experimental music. The debut album from Modern Studies follows on this collaborative theme and presents a subtle and haunting record with a distinct understated sound.
Modern Studies are a Glasgow/Yorkshire based band featuring songwriter Emily Scott, Pete Harvey, Joe Smillie and Rob St. John. All four have found success with their own musical projects, but with debut album Swell to Great they are together creating quiet experimental soundscapes with potent and obscure lyrics. Opener Supercool sets the tone of the record. A pulsating harmonious sound plays underneath Emily Scott’s sweet and light vocals. As the record progress, the song lyrics evoke the landscape poetry of William Wordsworth and take the listener on a trip through the ever changing British countryside. Water and sea is another theme which is explored throughout the record and this is explicit in the songs Bold Fisherman, The Sea Horizon and Swimming.
Swell to Great has its heart in traditional folk, but it is delivered in a very contemporary style. This is due to the openness in the musicianship, where a vast array sounds and orchestration augment the songs and compliment the evocative vocal delivery. Rob St. John also provides vocal duties and his distinct low voice lends itself well to tracks such as Sleep, where the heaviness in his delivery compliments the weightlessness of Emily Scott’s singing.
Swell to Great is definitely a stand out release on the label. The band is touring throughout 2016 and listeners should not miss the opportunity to witness the record performed live. If even a fraction of the magic of the record is reproduced on stage, then the shows will be unique and noteworthy experiences.