Collar Up (photo by Denitsa Toshirova)
Edinburgh-based trio Collar Up release new LP (limited edition CD and download) via fledgling label Permwhale Recordings on Monday 13th May 2013.
Collar Up is a dream-pop trio originating from the west of Scotland. The band is the brainchild of front-man Stephen McLaren (piano, voice), whose beautifully-crafted slices of melodic pop are underpinned by his own elegant and arresting chord changes, emotive vocal and concise lyricism. The band also features Chris Harvie (guitar, atmospherics) and Nora Noonan (drums, percussive pulse, harmonies).
Second album Ghosts is an excellent snapshot of a band achieving its full potential while resolutely following its own path. The Collar Up sound is partly informed by the soundscape reveries and sophisticated arrangements of Beach House, Mercury Rev, Kate Bush and Cocteau Twins. Bookended by instrumental opening and closing credits, Ghosts gushes with a veritable torrent of lush, reverb-heavy textures. An accomplished singer-songwriter, on Ghosts McLaren exhibits a pronounced political awareness and sense of social justice (Pay The Cost And Drive On; A Jam Jar Full Of Wasps) alongside the reflections of a man now leaving his greener years behind (Every Man For Themselves). Elsewhere the mating rituals of the wasted and the search for a more romantic ideal drift into focus, while techno and Happy Hardcore’s swifter bpms join a burgeoning list of musical reference points (The Fear Of Love; Short Term Memories).
Accomplished without altogether letting go of innocence, the wide-eyed but knowing qualities of the best pop music make Ghosts a potent proposition.
The band has played gigs from Glasgow to Paris (supporting The Twilight Sad, Sparrow and the Workshop and Meursault), with one Edinburgh show being filmed and broadcast on STV.
Permwhale Recordings was set up by Edinburgh-based outfit Night Noise Team. The label mixes a DIY ethos with sky-high production values. Permwhale Recordings worships in the broad church of pop.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM:
‘They’ve played supports for all the right people but with an impressive 2nd album Ghosts set for release on 13 May, it’s not hard to imagine Edinburgh-based threesome Collar Up becoming the main attraction… (Ghosts) manages to sound both timeless and reminiscent of the mid-80s’ (The Scotsman)
‘ambitious’ (The List)
‘great’ (Kowalskiy blog)
‘a stormer of a track’ (Scottish Fiction blog)
‘euphoric and ethereal music’ (Undersong blog)
‘frantic and intense… this trio have put their souls on show here… stunned into silent submission by the emotion injected into the vocals’ (Rave Child blog)
