Grass Widow / Trash Kit @ 13th Note, 7 Oct

Since the last time Trash Kit came to Scotland, they've gained a good amount of positive press recognition, released their debut album on the esteemed label Upset The Rhythm and played at All Tomorrow's Parties. The hard work is paying off in all the right ways too, as tonight the London based trio have never sounded better.

From the serrated clatter of 50ft Woman to the infectious tropical beats of Cadets and Natascha, Trash Kit all but demand that you kick your shoes off (just as guitarist/vocalist Rachel Aggs does at the beginning of their set) and dance around with a giddy grin. Musical references to the early days of Rough Trade are a mere starting point, Trash Kit have taken that template and made it totally their own.

Newly signed to the excellent Kill Rock stars label, San Francisco's Grass Widow may forgo the skipping, African-tinged rhythms of Trash Kit but their drummer Lillian Maring certainly shares the same syncopated inventiveness, conjuring fantastically abstract patterns one minute, then forcefully locking down the beat the next.

It complements perfectly the almost contradictory elements Grass Widow blend together in their songs; Hannah Lew's thundering yet melodic basslines, Raven Mahon's spindly yet harmonised guitar and nestling within songs such as Old Disguise and the breathtaking Celebrate The Mundane they bring the delicacy and complexity of a watchmaker to their songwriting within it's perfect post-punk attack. Their beautiful three-part, almost madrigal-like vocal harmonies throughout complete Grass Widow's stunning, inventive and individual sound. [John Keys]