Howling Bells / Cold Specks @ Òran Mór, 19 September

Canada's Cold Specks (****) is something of a pleasant surprise; 23-year-old singer Al Spx has one of those powerful old (but young) soul voices that can stop you at 20 paces, and does exactly that on a gloomy Monday night in Glasgow's west end. Playing a set of what the lady herself has labelled 'doom soul', her thoughtful lyrics, minimal but perfectly poised accompaniment on the cello, guitar and keys, makes for a mesmerising start. Now recording an album with former PJ Harvey producer Ron Ellis, expect to see much more of Spx in the future.

Aussie four piece Howling Bells (**) could only dream of being so hypnotic tonight. Fronted by the kitten-sized Juanita Stein, it all starts so promisingly: with a gravelly yelp, and sexy guitar swirl, the band don't just take to the stage; they wholeheartedly occupy it. Stein's model good looks only adding to the wow factor. Sadly, they can only keep it up for a couple of numbers. By the time the band are chewing through the almost Flight of the Conchords-esque Bowie pastiche of Spaceman they've well and truly lost the thread. It's a frustrating show, as there's something raw and interesting in their best moments, bluesy like The Doors, woozy and raw, but the set is hampered by too many lumpen moments, evoking some of Britpop's leaden howlers, and as clichéd titles like Ballad of the Bleeding Hearts slip past, you're left wishing the bells would chime no more. [PJ Meiklem]