Lovers League
Lovers League
Reviewed by: Ari Roth
Lovers League, a duo of Reverend TJ McGlinchey and former Origivation (now That Music Mag) Acoustic Artist of the Year Dani Mari, make breezy, well-crafted country-folk that is perfect for summer afternoons. The focus here is squarely on careful, melodic songwriting and the gorgeous, Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons-inflected harmonies between Mari and McGlinchey, who both wrote songs for the project. The two voices blend smoothly or contrast strikingly as the occasion calls for it, and their performances are consistently assured. Their vocals are given center stage, with understated accompaniment from acoustic and pedal steel guitar, banjo, upright bass and drums setting the mood.
This self-titled debut EP maps out their territory, making detours along the way on songs such as the bossa nova-tinged, McGlinchey-lead “Take Me to an Island”. For the most part, however, the EP thrives on its most country-influenced numbers, such as the rousing first single “Cowboy”, and the gentler, more reflective tracks later on, such as “Telephone Wire”. “Thinking It Over” is particularly poignant, with a descending vocal melody and a stirringly affecting guitar figure with a rootsy twang. This EP is both tantalizingly brief and refreshing, an easy listen that rewards a close and careful ear without demanding it. I hope that the duo decides to continue this partnership, as it promises to be a fruitful one.
Rating: 
