There Will Be Fireworks - Because, Because EP

Anyone paying the vaguest amount of attention will have noticed that a lot of the music that has come out of Scotland in the last few years has been rather good, and There Will Be Fireworks’ self titled debut (released in 2009) was no exception. A combination of beautiful acoustic music and rousing post-rock, the self-released album was a triumph. Now, finally, the band are back with a new EP, which intends to set up the release of their second full-length later in 2012.

Because, Because sticks (for the most part) to their lighter side. Looped pianos coated with beautiful heartfelt vocals make up ‘Harmonium Song’, echoing The National at times, especially in the use of the drums. Acoustic guitars and building vocal harmonies are added for ‘This Feels Like’, and continue into the folksy ‘From ‘84’. Closing track ‘In Excelsis Deo’ has been around for a year or so, released December 2010 as the bands “Christmas song”, and is one of the most beautiful Christmas songs I’ve had the pleasure to hear.

It’s a promising release, lacking only in the rushes of noise that gave their debut the moments that really swept you away. Here, only the end of ‘In Excelsis Deo’ holds that kind of power but providing they return when the band release their second album, no harm done. It’s also slightly more accessible compared to large parts of the debut, whilst not compromising the bands sound, which can only be a good thing. Here’s hoping their sophomore effort gains them some of the attention their debut and this EP warrant.

8/10

By Sean Collison