buzzcocksfan: Lala Lala + Celestial Green + Frank. Brudenell Social Club, Leeds. 17.02.19.

Three bands for free. Can’t go wrong. Especially with a headliner like Lala Lala. I’d have been here even without the bargain entrance fee. What I hadn’t bargained for was the infectious noise pop of openers Frank. They’re new to me. Little wonder as they only formed in 2018 but despite it being early days for them they’ve already recorded and released five track EP ‘Valentine’. Singer Lily Fontaine has a voice that could front almost any band. Deep, soulful and full of passion it could easily lure you into thinking you might be about to watch a funky soul band, especially on ‘Self Love’. That is until you hear the dreamy, psychedelic synth of Ben Howell and then the sudden kick of fuzzy guitar from Fontaine that breaks in to songs such as ‘Napalm and Orange Juice’ and ‘The Carpet’. It’s hard to pin down just why Frank are so listenable. Perhaps it’s the subtle, almost gentle rhythm of the drums, bass and lead guitar. Perhaps it’s the sounds generated in the background by the synth or the quite hypnotic vocals. Maybe it’s that guitar noise that suddenly cuts into songs and then just as suddenly disappears. Whatever it is it’s a winning formula. Hopefully there’ll be a lot more to come from Frank.

Frank

I can’t write much about Celestial Green. They do nothing wrong, they have a decent number of fans (friends?) here tonight who clearly enjoy what they’re hearing and they do what they do very well. But what they do does little for me. Laid back, soft jangly guitar tunes. Background music that does little to penetrate your thoughts or distract you from other things. I’ll stop there.

Celestial Green

Lillie West, singer and song writer behind Lala Lala wears her heart on her sleeve, turning herself inside out as she gives voice to locked in feelings dealing with loss, violence, insecurity and toxic relationships amongst other things. Opening with Water Over Sex – “You think I’m good well I’m soil in a sifter” – tonight’s set is dominated by songs from 2018 album The Lamb, a set list of 12 songs all underpinned with rousing guitar riffs interspersed with incredibly delicate moments. Copycat grapples with how everyone talks the same way on the internet, lies now forever true, it being almost impossible to be yourself. Destroyer deals head on with the struggles of staying sober, “If I’m using my hands can you cut them off. You’re a light turned on and I’m a moth”. I Get Cut is just over 2 minutes of glorious scuzzy indie guitar as West jumps from quietly stating “I get cut with every touch. You come by and soak it up” before almost yelling “But I bought a bat to keep me safe at home” referencing a home invasion she previously experienced. Siren 042, the recent single with WHY?’s Yoni Wolf makes a complete departure mid-set with it’s fragile, almost apologetic lyrics and equally delicate soundscape. West’s songs are straight talking, hard hitting and honest yet she delivers them with catchy, almost cheerful hooks over often melodic beats. It’s reverb filled, lo-fi indie pop. There’s no big, loud, rousing choruses. Lala Lala songs are far more subtle than that. A hypnotic noise that simply sucks you into a different place. And despite the subjects covered, when not singing, West looks like she enjoys what she’s doing. Perhaps it’s cathartic, purging these feelings, taking control and focusing on moving forward, “What was lost and what was found. I don’t regret a single sound” (Spy). 2016’s Sleepyhead album gives us two of the evening’s many highlights – Fuck With Your Friends and Lala Song, one slow and hypnotic, one singalong, poppy with a perfect uplifting beat.

Deep, thought provoking and occasionally upbeat Lala Lala deserve to be playing bigger venues and to be heard by many more people. Superb.