Hexicon - The Blossom Sighs

I don't know why I haven't blogged about this Hexicon album, or Hexicon in general really, yet. I saw them a little while ago and they were a really good, fun, live band; I hadn't known what to expect from them but I came away really, really, impressed. So yeah it's about I gave them a bit of blog time.

Hexicon are Michael and Paul of Allo Darlin' and Tom (who has played horn with Hayman), plus a rotating drum tag team of Andy and Greg with Giles on bass. It's the sort of line up that you can't help but feel excited about. Add to that the fact that Elizabeth Morris (also of Allo Darlin' fame) turns up on the album to add a little help and you've got a release that I can't wait to hear.

It's called 'The Blossom Sighs' and it's out on Haircut records. It's got lovely cover art too, but the main thing of course is what it sounds like.




First track 'Well Done' kicks the album off in a hazy languid style; a fine vocal backed with touches of horn evoke a taste of summer. It has that easy feel that early Belle and Sebastian songs do. A fine beginning.

Second track 'Annie Oh' leads with a keyboard vamp and vocal with far more of a swing feeling, but that summer vibe is very much present, when the backing vocals join in and the whole thing swells it's a thing of joy.

The next couple of tracks change it up again, 'Something Strange Beneath The Stars' has some of the mystery and loveliness of mid-period Yo La Tengo, as has 'Dawn Comes To Save Us' though with a slightly rockier feel.

'Ireland' glitters and sparkles in equal measure, 'She Plays Games' has the same nostalgic and touching feeling to it that a some of the better Sarah Records bands did. Elsewhere 'Blood In Your Eyes' utilises soft slide guitar and lilting harmonies to make an absolute delghtful floating country sound.

The album heads to it's end in much the same way, crafting gorgeous melodies but retaining the it's soft easy going nature, and summery vibe.

At it's most basic then, this album is sublime dream pop. It's the kind of music you can put on and just float away to. It's lovely on first listen, and consecutive plays just draws the listener further in to their tangled web of lucious horn and harmony. If you want a record to soundtrack your sunbathing in the backyard or to drift you off to sleep this could be perfect for you; don't get me wrong though, this is far from background listening, there's a lot going on and plenty to keep drawing you in long after the first blissful hearing. You should see them live too.

You can listen to the album and buy the album on Bandcamp

You can visit the band HERE, and finally you can learn more about the band's label Haircut right HERE