With weary vocals and rolling melodies, an indie sensibility from yesteryear and more than a nod to a love of folk, The Watanabes release their new EP Draw What You Like.
This is their third major release, since their formation in the late noughties. Based in Tokyo now, the multicultural band drew initial inspiration from Toru Watanabe, the slightly troubled and over nostalgic protagonist in Haruki Murakami‘s novel,Norwegian Wood, but their name was really a homage to the region where two Brits on guitar and vocals, an American keyboardist and a Japanese drummer all met to start the ensemble.
Catchy choruses and floating pop verses combine on these five tracks to make an easy listening autumnal set, with acceptance and desire, drive and futility, happiness and struggle all infiltrating the album and infusing the listener. This was my first introduction to The Watanabes – and I’m intrigued to hear more.
Released worldwide as a digital download on 29th September 2014.
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