Portland’s Loch Lomond might share some of the rain soaked melancholy and folkish overtures which are denoted by their namesake, but the multi-member group create a remarkable, arresting sound which is distinctively their own.

Their beguilingly addictive album Little Me Will Start a Storm was released last year; stirring up attention with the orchestral ‘Elephants and Little Girls’ and experimentally rhythmic ‘Blue Lead Fences’. Recorded exclusively for Glasgow’s Chemikal Underground the White Dresses EP marks the band’s current European tour and is an altogether a more streamlined affair; five tracks which quickly weave their spell.   

Lead singer and the group’s predominant songwriter Ritchie Young possesses an idiosyncratic and succumbing vocal which is without doubt the band’s most recognisable feature – and opener ‘Inventing You’ is instantly filled with it. Delicate strings, softly executed instrumentation and interjections of a haunted female vocal make it simultaneously musically rich and emotively desolate.  ‘Kicking with Your Feet’ catches you off guard with its originality and strength – a song which is both the brightest and saddest thing. A drum beat worth its weight in gold, melodic piano, guitar and tinkling percussion forge the backdrop to lyrics about fighting back; climaxing in a chorus of understated euphoria. The more up tempo ‘Knuf Sirhc’ works from a progressive drumbeat, thick lyrical imagery make it a slightly more eccentric addition and ‘Your Eyes’ upbeat, devotes itself once again to showcasing Ritchie’s sharp vocal. 

Title track ‘White Dresses’ is, quite simply, a tearjerker. A gorgeously woven elegy opening with a delicate female vocal and beautifully simple piano, both are joined swiftly by Ritchie in a repeated backroom chorus. As the song’s rhythm swirls into a tender melody, its sorrow-filled tune is deftly moving.  

Loch Lomond are makers of music which is rare and unexpected and judging by this latest effort there will be plenty more acclaim to come.

Jo Bell