Single Review

Skinny Dipper – Masks EP

• 8th Sep 2014

The five track Masks EP is the debut release from Glasgow based Skinny Dipper, a nine piece ”almost girl band” comprising members of several different Scottish groups. Their gentle and uplifting folk pop sound is built around beautiful lead vocals backed by some lovely harmonies, and a fine and varied musical backing.

The cast list gives a good indication of the talents within the band: singer Alex Kenzel (Blochestra), guitarist Vicki Cole (Randolph’s Leap), violinist Heather Thikey (Randolph’s Leap, Kill The Waves), flugelhorn player Ali Hendry (Randolph’s Leap), keyboardist and vocalist Gillian Higgins, violinist Cat Calton (Aerials Up), Ruth Campbell (Aerials Up, Quickbeam), Monika Gromek (Quickbeam) and Iain Symes-Marshall (Trapped In Kansas). And in a fairly short length of time this large ensemble has come together to make music very nicely.

Opening track Landing is the standout track of this EP, a folk pop beauty with soaring vocals and lush harmonies. It starts slowly before the pace rises, and the layered sound gives a rich texture behind those gorgeous vocals. Telling of the rivalry within the music business, the lyrics have an edge that contrasts with the sweet sound.

Hospital Bed slows things down slightly, a moving story of illness that is emotional and melodic at the same time. The Kids Are Moving On is slow and soulful, a trumpet adding a great deal to a mournful track with several vocal parts that work perfectly together. The musical backing is initially minimal before a closing instrumental section soars and evokes feelings of calm positivity. This is one that you really don’t want to end, a quite lovely song.

The short Cellphones is an odd interlude, with a somewhat paranoid male voice talking about the ubiquity of the devices. It doesn’t really work and grates against the beauty of the rest of the EP. But the closing track Son Of A Mitch soon gets back to the folk feel, telling of coming home in another exquisite song. Again the beautiful vocals soar, this time over a gentle guitar and violin backing. The emotional content of the song is high and the music takes off to give a great ending to the EP.

Masks is an excellent debut from a multi talented band. The sumptuous music brings the traditional Scottish folk feel together with more pop based melodies and the effect is quite beautiful. This is one to savour.

Venue: Masks EP
Support Band: Olive Grove Records