The Phoenix Foundation - Flock of Hearts

The Phoenix Foundation's Buffalo album was one of my surprise favourites of last year. There was this innate prettiness to all the songs; you know, that sensation you get when listening to something that you're engaging with something so equally delicate and wonderful that you want to pick it up and shelter it in cupped hands.

And new single Flock of Hearts is the very epitome of that. Just look at the title! Flock of Hearts - what beautiful imagery is encapsulated right there; tropical, winged birds floating up on an airy summer breeze, suddenly morphing into a sea of rosy hearts. It's a romantic, fantastical image, but one that sums up the beauty of the record. Twinkly music-box melodies usher in a nursery-rhyme-like overture, the lyrics proclaiming 'I was trapped in a man's body, with a child's mind'.

That's what we feel here as the string section swells sensuously in the background, swept away into a melting pot of memories. Young and old, youth and all the complexities of our present lives - it's all there.

Flock of Hearts is available to download from iTunes now.

The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

If you’re a fan of the likes of Mumford & Sons you might just find that The Phoenix Foundation float your boat too. They conjure up that same atmospheric wall of sound, but here, the folky vibe is turned down a few notches and fizzing synthesisers intertwine with the brilliantly conceived guitar hooks to create a fascinating and unique sound. Buffalo is the first single from the album of the same name, and like Mumford, there’s that natural feel here – the production of the record is spot on. The track is full, inventive, warm... never cold, mechanical or uninviting.

Hailing from New Zealand, the band maintain that mystique of the far away; a dazzling, magical land that is captured in the light, airyness of tracks like Buffalo. This is music for the sun breaking through the clouds on a glorious spring day, the song buzzing with energy and pure life force. Lead singer Sam describes the ‘consistent breeziness’ of their songs and it’s a brilliant match for the band’s sound.

Most impressive is the fact the band self-recorded the whole album, you would never guess it for how good the production qualities sound. The band are lined up to support the Go! Team on their February UK tour and iTunes are currently offering another track from the album, Bitte Bitte, as their free single of the week.

The single Buffalo is released on 24^th January with the album following on the 31^st.