Letters To Daisy - Ghost

Letters To Daisy

Ghost
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​

Sofie Hewson (vocals/guitars), Richard Hawkins (guitars/vocals), James Stephens (bass) and Robert Austen (drums/vocals) are Letters To Daisy. The band recently released a three-song EP entitled Ghost. They claim they channel artists like Coldplay, Jimmy Eat World and Paramore but to my ears their sound much more aligned with a band like The Swell Season. Like The Swell Season they have a male and female singer, prefer to sing about love and write songs, which are nostalgic, melancholy, hopeful and triumphant.

Letters To Daisy is a pop band and their music seems more destined for FM radio than to have much of an impact on the underground. The songs rely on classic songwriting and will appeal to a broad demographic. Their isn’t much experimentation out of the basic criteria of pop music but the songs are well written.

They open with the title track, which reminded me most of The Swell Season. In fact the song sounds similar to “Falling Slowly” in a number of ways although it feels brighter and joyful. Hewson has a good voice. There is no denying that. They also happen to sound good together when Hawkins sings in a low serious tone as he is concentrating really hard on the words he is saying. The song finds its best moment when they sing, “Ghost how do you do I wish you well but you can't stay.”

They take down a notch on “Too Little Too Late” which was the highlight for me. I thought the singing was exceptional; the guitar shined and I enjoyed the vocal harmonies. The second half picks up some steam but doesn't go overboard. 

They close with the inspirational, sweet and most single worthy song on the EP entitled “Every Little Upside.” The song will get stuck in your head the first time you listen to it. Although the lyrics may rely on platitudes you have heard more than once before the song still resonates.

It seems obvious to me that Letters To Daisy know their sound and what they want to accomplish. A lot of people will enjoy these songs. Take a listen and see if you are one of them.

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