Cave Painting’s debut album doesn’t disappoint

Brighton-based band Cave Painting’s debut album has been eagerly awaited by those in the know and it’s easy to see why.

Votive Life mixes great grooves, distinctive vocals and atmospheric arrangements to produce a sound that is at once fresh while also faintly reminiscent of all the best indie guitar rock of the 90s. Fans of Bombay Bicycle Club will enjoy the swooping choruses and rhythmic emphasis, although Votive Life doesn’t quite hit the intensity of Had the Blues, and perhaps nor should it. The tracks move easily from the memorable melody of Leaf to the pulsing grooves of Gator to the more intimate So Close and Pair Up. It’s a well-balanced album with plenty of drive alongside chilled-out tracks that wash smoothly over the ear and have you humming along before you know you’re doing it.

Containing early tracks Rio and Gator along with new single So Calm, the album release in September coincides with a UK tour. This is a confident debut that hints the band has a lot more to say.

Verdict ••••

Emma Cooper

Photo: BRIGHTON SOURCE/ Kenny Mc Cracken

Votive Life is released on 24^th September 2012. Tour dates can be found here.

Listen to So Calm here: