Led by founding duo Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey (formerly of Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, Marine Research and Tender Trap), English quintet The Catenary Wires make indie-pop with a warming, rosy glow. On their third album “Birling Gap”, Fletcher and Pursey set their Belle & Sebastian-esque vocal harmonies to pounding keys (“Face on the Rail Line”), posh jangle-pop (“Always on My Mind”), twinkling synths (“Cinematic”), and even mandolin- and flute-accented throwback psych-rock (“Canterbury Lanes”), taking complete advantage of their full-band capabilities. They exhibit a deceptive degree of control in unifying all these elements, crafting a timeless pop melange with a restless, roving spirit.
The Catenary Wires take their name from the cables that run above trains, and their new record is littered with references to the spaces (“Liminal” or otherwise) that make up their world, imbuing their music with a sense of giddy exploration, but also heartening belonging.
The Fat Angel Sings 