I discovered this brilliant new EP via my twitter friend John Michie from The John Michie Collective. The Morpeth based producer/singer songwriter – which is just north of newcastle in the north east of england – made this EP with his good friends Lincoln based producer/singer songwriter James Willows and American producer/singer songwriter OrangeG from Pennsylvania, USA.

Their debut EP consists of six songs which hook you in from the start. Willows and OrangeG’s vocals are both outstanding, the six song EP starts with ‘Killing Smile’ and from the very first vocal line I’m totally hooked in. “hey hey my oh my, everywhere I look I see your eyes. hey hey why oh why, you take me down with your killing smile’. Everything about this just works from the very first note, it’s brilliant. It reminds me alot of Neil Young. Track two ‘Wellspring’ is gorgeous, track three is my favourite ‘I’ll Take The River’ sung by OrangeG, actually makes makes me feel as though I am in a rowing boat on the lakes. This is a masterful high of songwriting and collaboration at its best, one of the best songs I’ve heard all year. Just wait for that hook to kick in. OrangeG’s vocals are outstanding. Track four ‘Battle Of Who Needs It Most’ will relax you even more while you lay back, relax and enjoy the ride down that river. Track five ‘Donkeys Tail’ instantly reminds me of one of my favourite bands in the whole world ‘Doves’ it’s got all of what I love about music, lots of nostalgia here for me. The EP finishes on ‘This Is Our Time’ it’s the perfect ending to one of the best EP’s I’ve heard all year, with elements of americana, brit pop, indie rock and roots rock. I cant wait for the album.

The Roundlakes are a transatlantic super group composed of Chris James Willows, The John Michie collective and OrangeG. This collaboration takes the listener on a ride through the Brit Pop sensibilities of Willows and Michie and mixes in with the rootsy leanings of OrangeG. Their debut six song EP ‘I’ll Take The River’ is a masterful collaboration with songwriting at its best. An Outstanding EP.

Scott Marsden
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