London Grammar - Truth Is A Beautiful Thing review: ‘They’re capable of writing a masterpiece’

Hannah’s extraordinary voice is the focal point once again 
New album: London Grammar's Truth Is A Beautiful Thing
Rick Pearson9 June 2017

Somewhere between the crepuscular intimacy of the xx and the vocal acrobatics of Florence + the Machine you’ll find London Grammar: a trio whose debut, If You Wait, won them an Ivor Novello award and plaudits from far and wide.

Much of the noise at the time centred around the extraordinary voice of Hannah Reid, and it’s once again the focal point on Truth is a Beautiful Thing.

Opening number Rooting for You is performed almost entirely a cappella, Reid exploring the full extent of her multi-octave vocal range over sparse guitar arpeggios.

Wild Eyed is another slow-building gem, this time furnished with a trip-hop beat, while Oh Woman Oh Man adds crunching guitars into the mix.

If this album isn’t quite a masterpiece — there’s no song to match Strong, their debut’s majestic calling card — you sense they’re capable of writing one.

Wherever they go next, it’ll be well worth following.

Latest music reviews

1/168

(Ministry of Sound)

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