Demos

Arabella - Yer Blues John

Owain Paciuszko 04/10/2009

Rating: 4/5

I remember a time back in Cornwall, probably the mid-nineties, when a few bands cropped up who were all going to 'put Cornwall on the map' or at least breakout and leave the South West behind. Anyway, the point is they all sounded a lot like Arabella; acts like Rootjoose esepecially had this kind of California blues-funk-soul sound that seems somewhat natural coming from the Cornish youth. Arabella share this sound, it reminds me of early Red Hot Chili Peppers but with a great deal of restraint (less cock waving, etc.) but still armed with a sense of melody and a great bass-line.

Arabella met at Coventry University in 2008 and this is their second EP, though the first under this new name. What is most refreshing about the group is the 'feel-good' vibe to their sound, alongside this the talent and intelligence in their music extends far beyond their years, especially on the Jimi Hendrix inspired Never Started. Elsewhere single Overdose has a mature sound and watching the video for it is a strange experience as the band's sound doesn't seem to match their image!

For a self-produced EP recorded painstakingly in their Uni's campus studios this is a hugely accomplished offering from a band who wear their influences well and promise great things for the future.