Introducing ‘Happy Daze’, Venus Rising’s latest album, containing the acclaimed singles ‘Lazy Daze’, ‘Woodlight’ and ‘Waterfall’.
Lazy Daze – Upbeat, jolly acoustic intro you’ll remember instantly, if you’ve heard it before. Sheena’s gentle, happy lilting vocals are perfectly suited to the light-hearted folk rock style, as is her brief tinkling laugh in the closing section, well matched with the light tambourine ending, providing a blissful, short lived respite from the cares of the world.
RBE – An even gentler intro, with a refreshing energy about it. Flowing effortlessly, like a warm summer breeze through your mind. Some nice melodic riffs, rockily blitzing their way through the track, assisted by one of those instantly catchy choruses you find yourself being swept away by. A feel good track, if ever there was one.
Rainbow Child – Opening with a jazzy uplifting riff, always boding well. A very meaningful sense to the lyrics, capably reinforced by Sheena’s happily, energised vocals. Instant catch again. Ideal for all fey enthusiasts and though it’s very short, there’s a clear power about it, both focused and fun.
Little Girl Blue – Down-tuning slightly now, but just as uplifting. Again, there’s an emphatic message in the music and it’s delivered so gently, yet with so much strength, at the same time. Another brief, but no less profound and purposeful song.
She And He – Taking things back up again here, for a faster paced, beautifully melodic track, filled with colourful visual imagery. This one does seem to end a bit too soon, but that’s it’s only disappointment. Otherwise, it’s light, summery and cheerful.
Unity – Liking that bluesy intro riff and vocal! Bringing in a new perspective, it’s a creative attention draw and it works. Those riffs really come to life, as they rock it up and slide their way into your soul, showing what they’re made of. Stand-out track and in fact, there’s such a deep blues impression to this, that you’d expect to hear it in a trad blues club. A wildcard of jazzed up versatility.
Synchronicity – Slowing things down, just a notch now, before fluidly moving into a freer essence of folky feeling, with more catchy riffs and complete connected flow. Dreamy, pleasant and naturally whimsical.
Fire In Your Eyes – Oh, now if you listen carefully, you can hear an acoustic version of Led Zep’s ‘Your Time Is Gonna Come’ introing this and that’s a very fine way to open. Continuing with such gorgeous riffage, you’ll feel it very deeply. Such a soulful song, the sound justifies the title well.
My Muse And I – Zippy, tight riff intro now, injecting plenty more colour and passion, it’s simply unmissable. Great rapid pace and Sheena never misses a beat. Total cohesion and connection again, in that same audio-visual way, carrying uplift factor, in a big way. Well titled.
In Love’s Name – More bluesy feel, tinged with moving emphasis, in a very real sense. In a very V.R. way, you hear that olde worlde charm in it, which this world could use more of. Pleasant melody and audible escapism.
Woodlight – Warm, welcoming intro, so soothing to the soul. Catchy in that most therapeutic sense, just filling your aura with homely comfort. Those who’ve heard the single previously will remember and have retained that glorious catharsis with which it fills you, along with the visual sense of transportation to a camp site, by firelight, complete with folky sing-alongs and friendship forged in fey-like forests.
Waterfall – Opening with watery sounds and sensations and a beautifully sinister tone, imbued with meaning and truth. A very deeply visual song, exploring the water theme, to the end. Very well placed closer, ending with a magical sounding tinkling trickle of water, cascading gently, down a Fountain and leaving the rest to your imagination.
Overall – A lovingly produced and stunningly atmospheric album, laced throughout, with perfected simplicity. Its strength lies in its purity and natural elements, combining, to create such dreamlike accessible soundscapes, proving that V.R. create their music from a place of truth, love and sincerity. Reflecting a better, more complete and melodic version of guided imagery, for alt rock lovers, ‘H.D’. Is like coming home.
8/10 ********
For fans of Pentangle, Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Fleetwood Mac, fey, folk and alt rock.
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