The road to modern musical fame can be both tortuous and smooth. The major labels and many commercial radio stations appear to have worked themselves into corners out of which it is difficult to escape. Fortunately, the burgeoning digital age, coupled with a more ambitious and aware music loving public can and does reveal music that is new and adventurous.

Public Symphony is Dobs Vye and James Reynolds, and this British pair have created quite a stir with a debut album and a single song. They have already been awarded Album of The Year by America’s Unsigned Music Magazine, while the song, Stronger is currently a semi-finalist in The International Song Writing Competition, and was featured on national television for the University Boat Race. And all are on the band’s own label….

The opening passage to the first track Wings reminds me of the soundtrack to some deeply dramatic movie. It then opens out with a vocal reminiscent to a smoother, more expressive Chris Martin, and proceeds to communicate the most moving message, in the most compelling manner. This is mature, haunting pop music with the most atmospheric instrumental arrangement and backing vocal backdrop one could imagine. In short, it’s utterly beautiful. The song mentioned above is next and while another achingly beautiful piano-backed track is not the best song here. That said, Stronger craps over anything that you’ve heard from bands like Coldplay and Keane, and so bloody easily…. Next track Breakthrough is more upbeat, with a simpler arrangement, stronger bass line and more aggressive vocal. Melody? Tell me about it… everything here is overflowing with the stickiest variety.

Other standout tracks include the jazz infused Children Of The Heatwave, the ambient, electronic tones of White Dove, the vivid sonic ambience of Fill Your Sails (complete with some superb guitar riffs), and optimistic, epic Anything Is Possible. The final track, Epilogue pretty well sums up this album: “I’m here to sing my melody, You’re here let’s sing in harmony, We make it how it’s going to be, We can escape cacophony. No more fear holding on to me, Go with the world in front of me, I choose you all for company, This is our possibility, This is our public symphony.” I only need add that the sonic landscapes created here have a warmth and sincerity that envelopes in a way seldom experienced. Strongly recommended.

4/5