The Kays Lavelle – Be Still This Gentle Morning

Edinburgh boys The Kays Lavelle open debut album Be Still This Gentle Morning with the cinematic sweep of The Hours, and in doing so make a bold statement of intent. And whilst we can’t question the grandeur of their ambition based on this fine first step, there’s a slightly jarring gait about them thereafter.

There’s no doubting their sincerity throughout Be Still…, but it’s an earnestness which trips them up at times. Seemingly intent on forcing the high emotion of their opening track at any cost, they have occasion to descend into a wholly grating sentimentality, with the immoderation of Thinking Of Strangers and the Keane-like Ten Times.

However, amongst these moments of melodrama, there are glimpses of real potential, as shown on First Light – a shimmering track which baulks their cleaner persona in favour of dredging distortion and a tremulous, battling end. It’s within this shadowed side of The Kays Lavelle that there’s true worth. [Paul Neeson]