Albums to watch

Smoke Fairies

Smoke Fairies

Smoke Fairies

Fourth album of Americana and blues-influenced folk from London-based duo Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies

ADM rating[?]

6.9

Label
Full Time Hobby / 10 SPOT
UK Release date
14/04/2014
US Release date
19/05/2014
  1. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Though their characteristic combination of folky vocals with blues-soaked tunes remains unmistakable, harmonies are harder to come by here
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   Uncut

    The songs are more direct and arrive with a harder edge. Print edition only

  3. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Here their voices are arranged more imaginatively. Print edition only

  4. 8.0 |   The Independent

    Finds the English duo taking a tangent from their folk/blues approach
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   NME

    British spook-folk duo Jessica Davies and Katherine Blamire are at their unsettling and atmospheric best here
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    Smoke Fairies is another brilliantly immersive album, albeit with a slightly updated sound
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   Earbuddy

    The title of the record itself Smoke Fairies is very telling — it’s as if the band are starting a fresh in order to move on from whatever personal struggles lead to the near-split of the duo
    Read Review

  8. 8.0 |   All Music

    Smoke Fairies have never sounded more sure of themselves, even as they move toward a more esoteric yet decidedly more commercial art-pop style
    Read Review

  9. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    This might not be the album that sees them break through, but it is a fine body of work from a pair of musicians embracing the thing they love most
    Read Review

  10. 6.0 |   Time Out

    Soothing, swirly, stylishly scuzzy and invariably murky, too many tracks drive stoically through familiar storm clouds (‘Shadow Inversions’) or dissolve into polite wig-outs (‘Koto’)
    Read Review

  11. 6.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    There is a core of really brilliant songs that don’t shine through immediately
    Read Review

  12. 6.0 |   The Irish Times

    The duo’s low-key intimacy occasionally straddles monotony, but one can’t deny a newfound magic to their sound
    Read Review

  13. 6.0 |   Q

    Not the breakthrough they crave but a highly engaging 45 minutes nonetheless. Print edition only

  14. 2.0 |   PopMatters

    This album seems factory made with the goal of creating music that floats in the background, harmlessly and blandly. For a band once so captivating and mysterious, Smoke Fairies is a colossal step back
    Read Review


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Preview & download it

Smoke Fairies: Smoke Fairies

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. We've Seen Birds £0.89
  • 2. Eclipse Them All £0.89
  • 3. Shadow Inversions £0.89
  • 4. Hope Is Religion £0.89
  • 5. Waiting For Something To Begin £0.89
  • 6. Your Own Silent Movie £0.89
  • 7. Misty Versions £0.89
  • 8. Drinks and Dancing £0.89
  • 9. Koto £0.89
  • 10. Want It Forever £0.89
  • 11. The Very Last Time £0.89
  • 12. Are You Crazy? £0.89
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

More reviews