My first thought when I first stumbled upon Rowsie was that maybe they originated in California, they have something of the sun-kissed, Gold Coast about them. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they hail from the rain-sodden streets of London, and now that I’ve heard their self-titled album, Rowsie, it makes perfect sense. There’s a whimsical nature, and a tongue-in-cheek humour to their sound that could only be born from these shores and it is these elements, combined with a deep understanding of rock music that makes this album such a winner.

With some music you only have to hear a few notes to get a feeling for what’s in store, and that’s certainly the case with Rowsie’s eponymous debut album. The angular and jarring guitar that heralds the arrival of opening track ‘Hard To Be Me’ suggests this will be no ordinary ride, and the prophecy comes true as Rowsie sets about delivering 10 off-kilter (but very nice) alternative rock. The lyrics of ‘Hard To Be Me’ (and, indeed, most of this record) are very much in the Ray Davies vein; each song is a mini-novella whose words place you in a certain moment and time, and a vignette that’s very cinematic and should plant strong images in your mind’s eye. For example, on ‘Squeaky Clean’ the vocalist expresses a desire to “dress up as a Nazi”, a rather araldite statement that’ll have you pricking up your ears, yet any rancour you feel will be soothed by the heavenly harmonies (plus they get extra points for rhyming “Nazi” with “paparazzi”).

Unorthodox time signatures and unusual time changes permeate this album, it often feels as if the Rowsie are placing us into a time machine and sending us into the future. It’s never knowing in what direction the band will veer that keeps the listener constantly engaged; ‘No Time To Worry’ throws some space rock in the mix while ‘She Shines Electric’ is a prime slab of Nuggets-styled rock n’ roll. Yet, even inside these individual songs there are wheels within wheels which spin us down various wormholes, but throughout these sonic shifts, the songs always remain identifiably Rowsie. However, Rowsie’s very eclecticism is also its strength and part of its delight is not knowing where it will veer next; it’s kind of like a musical version of Tales Of The Unexpected. It is only closer ‘So I’m Told’ that seems constant and stable, but its understated nature perfectly fits into the album’s arc and brings a definite sense of closure.

With all the songs hovering around the three minute mark Rowsie is a fairly brief listen, but it’s also very full and you’ll probably need a few spins to unearth all its gems. Yet, even if you only listen once, Rowsie will be one of the best half-hours you’ll ever spend.

• Rowsie is released via Ivy Records and is available from here.
•  Official Website / Facebook / Instagram

Track List:

Hard To Be Me
Billionaire Bankers
Squeaky Clean
Fertile Fields
7.55 to Athens
Willingness
Itch
No Time To Worry
She Shines Electric
So I’m Told