They're a live force to be reckoned with, but the debut album of Dublin's Come On Live Long bears all the hallmarks of a record that has been breathed into life with a measured beauty. This eclectic 10-track collection quickly finds its groove, taking in the soft swell of electronic undertones with audible soul and funk influences (Little Ones) to the gentle canter of acoustic guitar (Old Apart) and dusky a capella murder ballads (Cybil). Portishead and The xx are obvious touchpoints on some tracks while the quintet gleefully plough their own furrow on others. Vocalists Robert Ardiff and Louise Gaffney bounce off each other terrifically, but this album is very obviously a group effort, each deft background touch filling out their freewheeling sound to a satisfying conclusion. An impressive and accomplished beginning. comeonlivelong.bandcamp.com
Download: Little Ones, Cybil