God, not everything has to win a popularity contest in this business, does it? Er, well yes it does, actually.
Cardiff-based HALFLIGHT are a good case in point. On August 16th, they release their debut four track EP "Subside" on the My First Records label. Crowned the “best new talent in Wales” after winning a A&R Shout Out competition: a search and consume event which featured over 200 bands from across the whole of Wales. Good on 'em.
Halflight is the brainchild of ex-Jylt member Sarah Howells. A singer/songwriter, she formed the band with help from Richard Llewellyn on guitar, and Emma Bryden on cello, and all the material was self recorded.
Welsh music is usually notable for its' odd quirky qualities, best typified by the likes of SFA, Gorkys and most recently the comedy estate rappers Goldie Lookin Chain. But with Halflight we are treated to simple and straightforward folk-pop, arching beauty in "Photo"s gentle plucking and Sarah Howells' delicious vocals, reminiscent of the under-rated Gemma Hayes.
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“Where are you Now” works sublimely with the same wistful, melancholy formula. It's a swooning tale of loss, renewal and hope.
"Treading water" is a plaintive tale. “Everything will end like it started,” keens Sarah with haunting cellos complementing her voice perfectly ."Where The Pins drop” excels as Owen Hopkins adds the rockier, positive commercial edge. All in all, it's gentle, impressive and mesmerizing enough, and with a fresh spin placed on simple folk pop tunes, Halflight deserve to emerge from the shadows and into the public eye.
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