Slow Club merges old and new

Slow Club

Yeah, So

Moshi Moshi

Rocks Like: Tilly and the Wall, The Moldy Peaches

Grade:… Slow Club

Yeah, So

Moshi Moshi

Rocks Like: Tilly and the Wall, The Moldy Peaches

Grade: B+

Twelve songs, 12 relationships, one album. Slow Club’s worthy folk-rock album, Yeah, So, is composed of narratives about love and friendship.

Slow Club launches into its album with a slow opening — acoustic guitar and harmonizing vocals that bring to mind a modern-day, updated Simon and Garfunkel.

Updated, meaning that Slow Club is a male/female duo and folk-rock band, with band members Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor embellishing the contemporary music with their own styles and sounds.

The band’s folk nature makes some tracks calming and soothing in style, while other songs are more saturated with drums. The vocals always support the song, rather than the music supporting the vocalists — this album’s about the lyrics, first and foremost.

Titles aren’t mystifying on this album. “Givin’ Up On Love” is exactly what it sounds like – why bother falling in love when so much has gone wrong? This particular song shows the duo’s rock roots, especially when compared to the quiet opening song, “When I Go,” which explores a friendship versus a marriage. “When I Go” demonstrates the band’s ability to alternate between rock and folk sounds.

On the other hand, “Apples and Pairs” displays more confidence from the couple. It’s not necessarily perfect, yet not quite as imperfect as other songs.. Its style is slow and charming, and sounds a bit like a carousal song.

Ultimately, the album avoids overcrowding, yet allows the music to feel full and complete — it generally satisfies the listener.