Album Review: Driven Snow, A Kind Of Dreaming

Take one part Delorentos (Kieran McGuinness), add one generous slice of Republic Of Loose (Emily Aylmer), then flavour with the under-stated production values of Tommy McLaughlin’s Attica Studios. The result is A Kind Of Dreaming: a debut album by a duo easily more than the sum of their parts. At times, Driven Snow come on like a modern indie remodelling of the Everly Brothers, so delicate are their vocal harmonies.

Better still, the shadowy electronic soundscapes create an ideal atmosphere for their poetic lyrics. Chimes introduce leisurely opener ‘Aurora’, before it turns into a dreamlike, disarming love song with an uneasy undercurrent. ‘Flickers Of You’ moves matters up a gear with touches of Paul Simon in its captivating melody. ‘Trying’ sees the male narrator spotting Neil Young at an airport, in another unhurried helping of acoustic warmth.

Elsewhere, ‘This Is Mine’ mixes hints of Steve Reich with perky percussion, while ‘Nothing As Hard As Love’ proves that, sometimes, Driven Snow reach parts many of their less sensitive rivals don’t. Maybe the harmonies would be even more effective if used more sparingly, but overall, this album appeals because it thinks beyond the cliches of traditional arrangements. Indeed, Driven Snow have conjured an album not merely to listen to, but luxuriate in.

7.5/10