The Winchester born and now Bristol based Rozi Plain comes up with some of the most original sounding alternative-folk to come out of the UK in recent times. After seeing her perform live at a remarkable show where she supported This Is The Kit, Rozi’s enchanting voice and musical freedom has quickly become a favourite. Friend will be her third album of a string of excellent releases on Lost Map Records. This album features a strong list of musical friends with This Is The Kit’s Kate Stable and Jamie Whitby-Coles, François And The Atlas Mountains’ Amaury Ranger and Gerard Black, and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor all lending a helping hand.

 

Friend has a perfect beginning, with a warm lull of harmonious notes from a bass and electric guitar. A mix of drum sounds and soundscaping guitar that lock the listener in as the song takes pace, before Rozi’s light, charming and wondrous vocals makes ‘Actualy’ an early favourite off the album. Then onto the phenomenal ‘Best Team’ – starting with minimal rhythm and building up with an assortment of blissful sounds. Hand shakers, tambala/bongo drums hold the template of the track, with a relaxed guitar melody and a laid back bass line completing the sound. Flute, clarinet, a more psych sounding guitar and drums are all introduced throughout until its soft crescendo of horns takes the song to a new and heavenly place. ‘Five Beans’ starts with an almost techno beat before a simple guitar melody joins it atop. It is the first song where you can hear precisely every word of Rozi’s ethereal vocals (that seem to be double tracked on most songs), coating lyrics that touch on a past relationship.

 

‘Friend City’ has a simple sunny sound, with its sporadic Vampire Weekend esque synth keyboard and Grizzly Bear sounding guitar chords, is one of the albums finest moments and is the perfect summer song. ‘Jogalong’ was one of the first songs I heard by Rozi Plain, as it featured on one side of the 7” vinyl with fellow Bristolian Rachael Dadd. Starting with the acoustic sounds of a deep bass guitar, the song gradually gains intensity as instruments are introduced and the volume of the sustained synths in the background rises. ‘Quarry’ sounds like it should be played quietly around a fireplace in a wood cavern whilst you’re in a red wine haze. Its delicate instrumentation and mellow vibe is quaint and soul capturing. ‘Rearrange’ has a satisfying feel, as if Rozi has come to terms with a realisation. The jubilant sounds of the guitar melody and continuous bass notes just makes you want to put the song on repeat.

 

I am a huge fan of this album – it’s delicate, quaint, always beautiful, and Rozi’s voice is like no other. Her sound is so intricately crafted with lots of ornate and interesting ideas that once striped back, you realise how the simple song structures prevail. Friend is certainly Rozi Plain’s best record yet with fantastic instrumentation from all those involved, and perfectly conveys her quirky free-spirited attitude and her unique natural talent to craft brilliant songs. This is a must buy album for 2015 – an album that you will play over and over.

Iain Lauder