Woman's Hour has been bubbling under the surface for about a year now. They've made some waves here and there with singles like "Conversations" and "Darkest Place", but it's only with this, their debut album, that we finally get a glimpse of their true potential. The London-based four piece has finally put out a full in Conversations, and it's much more accomplished that we had expected. The Band's black-and-white aesthetic seemed sort of tired for a while, and ran the risk of getting lost in the shuffle of other names who have embraced the less-is-more approach when it came to visual marketing, but this project matches perfectly with the look they've chosen, and makes perfect sense. Each song on the tracklist features broken-down synth lines that are married with understated textures so that the whole package feels very minimalist despite the obvious complexity the in the production. No, they aren't exactly orchestral in their approach to sound layering, but the band does add in a lot more depth than most other names do when making music of this type, and it's this attention to depth of sound that sets the album apart. When you listen to each song and look for the subtleties that aren't instantly recognizable, then you'll find a whole hidden world of sound that materializes after closer inspection. The Band's lead singer, Fiona Burgess, has a voice that doesn't venture too far outside of the soft range limits she's set for it, but it's not a detriment to the album, because the gentleness she adds to Woman's Hour's sound rounds out all the edges and really completes the package. The tracklist is strong from start to finish, but don't miss out on the album's namesake, "Conversations". It's been out for a minute now, but it still holds its own just fine against the rest of the new merchandise. When you stack it up against tracks like "Her Ghost" and "Devotion", too, it's got that extra little bit of shine that draws you in right from the beginning. That's not to say that the rest of the album is particularly lacking, though, just that there's a reason "Conversations" is both the title of the album and the lead off single, and it's pretty obvious that it's because of its clear sonic strength. As far as new material goes, there's plenty to enjoy if you're looking for something that hasn't already made the blog rounds. Be sure to check out "Unbroken Sequence" and "In Stillness We Remain". Both are perfect examples of Woman's Hour's infatuation with downtempo indie-pop, and they're both beautifully executed. They're probably not going to do it for you if you're in the mood for something caffeinated, but if it's relaxation you're on the hunt for, these two tracks are top rate chill-out songs. "Unbroken Sequence" is a balanced blend of electronic and analog sounds, so you're not going to get synth fatigue when listening, but they've mad it clear where their allegiances lie when it comes to their use of technology to achieve desired sounds. Woman's Hour isn't afraid to use synths, and their total commitment to the interment of the track's backbone means they were free to squeeze every last drop of subtle magic out of those notes. It's a brilliant offering, and will set the band up for plenty of success down the line. Woman's Hour has yet to really tap into their full potential, but this album is a victory in itself, and it'll make sure they have plenty of opportunities to make more great music down the road, no doubt. Purchase Conversations on iTunes now.
Woman's Hour