THE LEYLINES – Recover Reveal (own label)

Recover RevealBased in Weston-super-Mare, with numbers like ‘Breakout’, False Hope’, the rhythmically choppy ‘This Is Your Life’ and the aptly titled ‘Kicking Up A Storm’, the five-piece collective’s second album, Recover Reveal, bolsters their claim to be included alongside the likes of Skinny Lister, McDermott’s 2 Hours, Ferocious Dog, and The Levellers in the roll call of rowdy British folk punk. However, there’s more shadings to them than just that. Featuring the sterling violin skills of Hannah Johns, The stomping ‘Control’, ‘Long Way From Home’ and break-up number ‘In My Head’ are all rousing examples of urgent contemporary fiddle-driven folk rock while, in distinct contrast, the narrative lyric title track is a downbeat slow sway ballad about moving on and starting over and ‘In Your Shadow’ extends its fingerpicked guitar lines and pulsating rhythm over six ebb and flow minutes as it moves from spare acoustic to more anthemic heights.

‘Fly Away’ is equally infused with that soaring spirit of defiance, while on ‘Broken And Alone’ frontman Steve Mitchell delivers a stirring working class heroes battle cry from Brexit Britain that surely has a hint of Merry Hell about it. Although probably best experienced in a packed club or better yet shaking the skies at a festival (where they have built their reputation for a wild live performance), whether you bung this in the player while you’re hurtling down the motorway or raise a flagon or two with friends in the living room, The Leylines will connect you with a very vibrant natural energy.

Mike Davies

Artists’ website: www.theleylinesmusic.co.uk

‘This Is Your Life’ – official video:


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