Band origins are rarely stories that evoke any romanticism. Oftentimes boiling down to looking around your school, college, or neighbourhood for capable vocalists and instrumentalists to fill out the requisite slots, these origins often seem rather formulaic in nature. But Barricane’s story is uniquely heart-warming. The duo, Emily and Rosy, met during a leaving party at Oxford. Sharing a bottle of wine together while singing harmonies at a pub near the river, their friendship was born. From then on, the pair took their musical partnership to new heights while collaborating with multi-instrumentalist Mac. With an emphasis on vocal harmonies that jump back and forth between the two, they released their multi-genre debut project ‘The Sky and Us’ in March of 21. And, like the duo themselves describe it, it is indeed replete with harmonic acrobatics
‘The Sky and Us’ combines indie-folk, rock, electronica and trip-hop while addressing themes of existence, perspective, everyday magic and the natural world. On the opener, ‘Canopy, Barricane throws you into the album with a gush of static before more the harmonies and instrumental come running through in full flow. Immediately, I recognised that I needed a pair of headphones to experience this. Both Emily and Rosy sing alongside each other, with one often taking a supporting role to the other. The result is a seamless vocal melody that made me reminisce of my earliest memories of hearing Crosby Stills Nash & Young. In many ways, ‘Canopy’ sounds like a canopy — a little bit loops, intertwined, and beautiful.
‘Blacktopped Road’ has a gripping opening orchestration but it’s highlight are the final moments, where the duo reassuringly harmonize ‘We found our way home’. It’s a moment of warmth that just makes you feel wrapped in a fuzzy cover. ‘I’ll Be Here’ is almost haunting, especially when they harmonize the “where faith and doubt creep in'” section. Even the chorus ‘I’ll be here’, while at one moment reassuring, is a bit unsettling through their disconcerting delivery. There are poppier tracks as well, ones like ‘Strike Out’ that feature an almost Americana/country instrumental. And there are downright experimental ones as well, like the closer ‘For Carlone’ which is reminiscent of the psychedelic wave of classic rock the late 60s and early 70s. But throughout this smorgasbord of instrumental changeups and production variations, Emily and Rosy’s harmonies remain the constant. It becomes the focal point, the anchor, or rather the steering wheel of an album that’s scattered with influences and sounds that seem to fork away into a myriad of different roads.
So for fans of acapellas and choir, you’ll be guaranteed to find appreciation on this record. But I’d suggest this to anyone who has a fleeting interest in the art of harmonisation. It’s a masterfully ambitious project that’s able to highlight each instrumental switch around through a continuous improvisation of vocal harmonies. It’s got a little bit of everything, but its folksy at heart.
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