You may question how an artist such as KATIE MALCO has made her way onto these pages, particularly when, superficially, her style would fit in the straightforward pop market. Delve deeper into the lady’s routes though, and things become far clearer. Currently touring with ex-members of Reuben and Hold Your Horse Is, and listing bands such as Refused and Lemuria amongst others as influences, Miss Malco is keen to associate herself with the more “serious” side of music. This association has managed to secure the singer-songwriter a deal with Alcopop! Records, home of a considerable number of impressive artists including, but not limited to, Johnny Foreigner, Stagecoach and This City.
The question remains as to whether the successful crossover between singer-songwriter pop and a more mature consideration can be translated in the handful of songs forming ‘…and the Slow Parade’. Somewhat indicated in the title of the opening track ‘Laa Dee Daa’, KATIE MALCO and her team of competent musicians have personified the term “twee” on this offering. Katie’s traditional yet distinctive vocals, ranging from the higher pitched tones forming the opening of ‘Sad Eyes‘ to the more country inspired lower octaves demonstrated on tracks such as ‘Johnny’, musically ‘…and the Slow Parade’ happily remains firmly cemented in the sentimental. In order to add the required depth, the EP is filled with melancholic lyrics discussing broken love and depression; even the oddly up-beat opener discussing general relinquishment. These lyrics help to characterise the record, and although remaining quaint, add considerable personality to an otherwise uncomplicated affair.
KATIE MALCO may have successfully crossed over from twee singer-songwriter to a viable artist in the alternative market, yet her music is unlikely to appeal to fans of the aforementioned label mates. ‘…and the Slow Parade’ listens like a traditional folk inspired record with substantial lyrics separating it from more shallow releases by similar sounding artists. The EP breaks no musical boundaries and will most likely fail to attract attention from more extreme alternative genre fans, but KATIE MALCO has managed to update folklore for a modern audience.
BEN TIPPLE