‘Quickbeam’ by Quickbeam

This lovely self-titled debut release from Scottish band Quickbeam is working it’s way into my affections very quickly. As soon as I saw the video for ‘Immersed’ I knew I had stumbled on something special

These guys are not new to music and have not suddenly appeared from nowhere having steadily plied their trade on the folk scene for the last three years or so. This is perhaps why there is such a finished air to their debut with a depth of emotion and feeling that lends a tangibly plaintive air across the 12 tracks.

The combination of Monika Gromeks lovely voice with piano, cello, guitar, trombone and harmonium is a thing of beauty which swells like the ocean and builds up into wonderful layers of sound – in particular the above mentioned track ‘Immersed’ which has a feel of Sigur Ros from their Harf-Heim DVD/album where they play acoustically at local venues across Iceland.

I also get the feel of that gorgeous album ‘Diamond Mine’ from King Creosote and Jon Hopkins – a big favourite of mine with it’s simple, elegant and understated tones.

Quickbeam stand up to any of these references and have produced a compelling, albeit gentle, album which is a great companion when you need to relax and contemplate and revel in the atmosphere and mood of acoustically soothing music.

Tracks such as ‘Fall’ are enchanting. Minimal lyrics coupled with a build up of a simple refrain adding strings, piano, cello and eventually trombone create a moving, elegant piece.

This is taken further with ‘Home’ where the gentle opening leads into an upbeat drum finale with the relaxed vocals washing beautifully over the top leading to pure folk-post-rock majesty.

Even the track titles are minimalist – ‘Remember’, ‘Matter’, ‘Grace’ – all reflecting a quiet confidence in what this band are trying to achieve and with this album they certainly deliver.

If I were to try and pin down their sound, I  would describe Quickbeam as a Scottish folk Sigur Ros, but there is enough individual quality and ideas here for them to stand proud and build a solid following on this showing.

A super recording and highly recommended.