Laki Mera - The Proximity Effect
The debut album from Glaswegian quartet Laki Mera follows Clutter the 2010 EP which earned them comparisons to the likes of the Cocteau Twins, Portishead, Blue Nile, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Radiohead.
The debut album shows little sign of immaturity as the band have been playing together since 2004 when Laura Donnelly, formerly of God’s Boyfriend, teamed up with Italian-born producer and multi-instrumentalist Andrea Gobbi, both of whom were in search of new musical horizons.
Gobbi’s addition of rich electronica to Donnelly’s simple vocal/guitar recordings set the tone for things to come. The recruitment of drummer and percussionist Tim Harbinson who had an electronic background and Keir Long (piano/synth), who is classically trained, only added further dimensions to the already unique sound.
The Proximity Effect showcases the foursome’s eclectic range well while flowing seamlessly from track to track.
Opening with The Beginning of the End, the track launches the listener into Laki Mera’s unique sound with an unsubtle mix of electro coupled with a haunting and distorted vocals of Donnelly.
More Than You is a catchy dance track with an upbeat pop vocal which echoes the style of current pop artists such as Ellie Goulding while maintaining a still heavily electronic backdrop.
The track demonstrates how easily Laki Mera could cross into the mainstream. Donnelly’s fragile folk influence is largely apparent on Fingertips and makes the album more digestible than if it had been a 12-track whirlwind of synths and effects.
Moreover Fingertips demonstrate how the various members are allowed to explore their musical passions within the band which can only point towards longevity. These subtle folk influences meet ethereal eeriness with the likes of Solstice while Onion Machine employs a retro-futuristic synth riff, an emotive layer of cello and stabs of grinding guitar.
Tender vocals from Donnelly, the lone female in Laki Mera, echo the style of Imogen Heap and provide a gentle approach to the at times heavily layered electronica. The incorporation of strings on tracks such as Fool offer a further dimension to the debut album and draws comparisons to the likes of Massive Attack or Zero Seven.
The original mix of acoustics and reverb on Donnelly’s vocal on the aptly titled Reverberation demonstrates well the collision of genres the band have created and what is perhaps Laki Mera’s real feat with this album, they manage to combine these genres and styles in a fluid way that doesn’t create an uncomfortable partnership, but rather an atmospheric fuzziness that will transport your spirit and seduce your soul.
Verdict: 4/5
FemaleFirst Antonia Charlesworth