Though Arts & Crafts has very few signings that are not tangentially connected to one another (only New Buffalo and the Most Serene Republic spring to mind), Young Galaxy straddle the stereotype, as Stephen Ramsay has spent some time with Stars, but his bewitching vocal counterpart, Catherine McCandless, is unattached. Though there are only three tracks on this EP and two of them are on the bands upcoming debut album, the strength of the music is enough to make one salivate. Taking a slow and steady approach to their evocative waltzes, Ramsay and McCandlesss harmonies are the best part of both the standout title track and the snappily titled "The Suns Coming Up and My Planes Going Down. The build-up is half the fun from this band, as once they hit their climax they just keep layering and layering the instruments and moods until all neurons are firing. This isnt the most fast-paced or inspirational music, but when two people seem to be able to wrap simple ideas in gorgeously gauzy music, one shouldnt complain. Our appetites are officially whetted.
(Arts & Crafts)Young Galaxy
Swing Your Heartache EP
BY Chris WhibbsPublished Feb 14, 2007