Formed in Ireland in 2009 and now based in Brighton, Rotait comprises UK native Jareth Tait and Austrian Rosanna Schwarzacher. With influences as diverse as Nick Drake, John Martyn, Bill Withers and PJ Harvey, the pair have forged a strong live reputation. They should probably add Radiohead to that list. Tait’s voice is, at times, eerily reminiscent of Thom Yorke (‘Tired of Waiting’ – the most Radiohead-sounding track here – could easily be an outtake from The Bends!).
That said, Rotait have their own distinctive sound, with its roots in the quintessentially English approach of ‘70s stalwarts such as Al Stewart and Clifford T. Ward. Highlights include ‘Swallow Your Pride’, the mid-paced opener, where under a soft shuffle, with acoustic guitar and cello, the pair weave no little melodic magic. The more atmospheric ‘Sleep Tonight’ showcases their ambient side. ‘Life Is Long’ is a lovely folk tune while the dreamy ‘I Tried’ and the up-tempo ‘Why D’ya Do That For’, are well worth hearing.