4 piece band Saona from Bristol debut their 5 track EP “Shaded Glass” with a collection of melodic and easy listening tunes. The band seems to have grasped a very personal sound recurring throughout the album which can only be described as jazzed up indie rock… a very refreshing and fitting combination.
The first song “Dripping Away” is the clear gem of the EP. The guitar riffs are extremely catchy and even have a hint of funk to them. They also make good some arrangements in terms of harmonies and instrumental layering which is very smartly done. It’s a song which shows what they are capable of writing and that there’s some clear talent within the group. “Fake Faces” unveils a slightly rockier side to the band. While it’s not as catchy as Dripping Away, it’s a faster paced song which would probably go down well when played live. Yet again the interplay between the 2 guitars sounds great and they master it well.
“Reality” is a personal favourite from the EP. The addition of the piano fits nicely into their style of play and gives it a more jazzy feeling to it. The vocal melodies are also a clear strong point of the band and this song reflects it perfectly. The second to last track “No Soul” stands out less from the others but is still none the less a good song. However the final song “Too Much, Too Little” gives a strong up beat ending to the EP and sums up the bands sound nicely.
While some of the tracks are quite similar and undefined, the group still manages to hold a very unique genre which could be roughly compared to the likes of “Kappa Gamma” and “Young the Giant”. The style of the album is also very engaging primarily due to the wide array of moods and tempos which fluctuate from song to song, producing some very interesting sounds. Overall, making it a strong effort from a band which is probably only getting started.
7.5/10
