It's been a while and a line up change since we last covered Red Sky July with Haley Glennie-Smith replacing Charity Hair. They return with a new sound, much starker mainly based around Ally's electric guitar, the harmonies remain at the forefront, now with a slightly folkier edge to them.
The cover offers a slightly suggestive image to match the lyrics. The words of the verse and chorus see the same person perceived in different ways.
"You're a gentle soul - hanging around in the half light
Waiting for something to go right"
to
"You’re the man I call when the bottle breaks
And the hazy gin eyes can’t see anything straight’
The chorus continues in a similar saucy vein!
"I have a special heart, I'm like a china plate
Let's just soothe each other baby -
Won't you stay for a late misty morning"
It is remarkable just how much space Red Sky July leave on the track, Ally's guitar is really only supported by an additional acoustic one, there's some electronica as well but no percussion yet the sound seems more vibrant than ever, rather than in any way lacking. The vocals from Shelley and Haley are also a delight that add a dreamy sultry quality to the overall sound.
The lyrics suggest a somewhat unusual open yet powerful relationship
"This thing that we have
Sometimes my mind wants to explain
The melding of hearts but without chains
Means I don't want to run when the sun goes down"
"And I like it with you - don't want to judge me or keep me
And I never ask you to marry
It's ok that it is all we have to give right now"
It all makes for a most interesting and unexpected opening salvo from a band clearly re-energised and on peak form after their time away.