Girl Ray – Girl

On their debut album Earl Grey, trio Girl Ray delivered a blend of indie riffs and woozy rhythms that evoked the warmth of a cosy, hot cuppa. Skip forward a couple of years and – inspired by the composition of the band’s personal playlists – they’re diving into new territory on their second record, Girl. Delving into the realms of R'n'B and pure pop, the trio have added new dimensions to their sound, bringing bright synths and snappy beats into the mix.

The results are quite often charming. Show Me More is propelled by funk-inflected guitar licks, while Friend Like That flourishes with clashing cymbals to punctuate its soaring hook. Off-kilter keyboard characterises the instantly-grabbing opening to Because, the trio spinning this beginning out into shimmering synth and swooning harmonies. At other times though, Girl can feel like it’s trying too hard to differentiate itself from its predecessor to detrimental effect, particularly towards the back end of the album. The motif of Go To the Top evokes 60s lounge music in a way that comes across more dated than nostalgic, while Beautiful gently leans towards reggae but feels ephemeral.

Stepping away from the core sound of their debut was a bold move from Girl Ray; they don’t always quite pull the change off but, when they do, Girl can be a charismatic record.

Listen to: Because