Zoey Van Goey – Propeller Versus Wings

Expanded to a four-piece since debut The Cage Was Unlocked All Along, Zoey Van Goey’s launch Propeller Versus Wings with the atypically serious Mountain On Fire. It’s an unsettling opening; self-consciously ‘mature’ when Zoey Van Goey strengths have previously lain elsewhere. While not an entirely convincing facelift, other renovations are significantly more exciting. Robot Tyrannosaur is a noisy, punky bundle in the Bear Suit mould, undeniably twee, but unbelievably fun.

Other areas remain consistent: one of their best assets has always been the vocal contrast between Kim Moore (light, high, English) and Matt Brennan (smooth, deep, Canadian) – both pleasant individually, but bringing out the best in one other when combined (here, most splendidly, on The Cake and Eating It). In this way they echo early Camera Obscura and the sorely-missed Delgados, while also helping ZVG stamp their own name on Scottish indie-pop with equally persistent ink. [Chris Buckle]