Rozi Plain: Friend (Lost Map Records)
Although Winchester-born and now London-based after years of living and working in Bristol, alt-folk gem Rozi Plain is also an honourary Fifer thanks to a long-standing connection with the Anstruther-based Fence Records. With its mainstay Johnny Lynch now relocated to the Isle of Eigg, the singer-songwriter releases her third album under the sheltering wing of his new imprint, Lost Map Records.
Lusher-sounding and more complex than its predecessors, Friend features contributions from Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor, various members of Bristol band Francois & The Atlas Mountains, a harpist (Serafina Steer) and Plain's long-time collaborator Kate Stables. The familiar double-tracked vocals are there, as is the minimalist guitar-playing, but her helpmates new and old add more top and bottom to the sound: opening track and current single Actually is driven by a wonderfully fluid bass line and elsewhere a battery of vintage synths add motifs and fluting melodies (Taylor's contribution, presumably). Steer's backing vocals, meanwhile, bring texture and harmony. As for lyrics, Plain takes the lead from her guitar style and follows the less-is-more approach, leaving enough space between the verbal signposts to always keep you guessing about the meanings. As a result she has crafted an elliptical, atmospheric and at times mesmeric album.
Rozi Plain plays Summerhall, Edinburgh (Friday), Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore (Saturday), The Drouthy Cobbler, Elgin (Sunday) and Mono, Glasgow (Monday)
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