Whereas their current Scandanavian peers such as Casiokids and Love Is All have opted for a more upbeat sound, Harrys Gym tonight are here to prove that, like Mew, ethereal melancholy can be just as affecting. If there's one word to describe Harrys Gym's sound, it's atmospheric. Soft, swirling electro backings combined with lead singer Anne's angelic vocals soon engulf and transport you to a sense of abandonment; something many musicians from these lands seem to be able to encapsulate in such sublime fashion.
The first couple of opening tracks tonight demonstrate their haunting pop at its best, with slow tempos and eerie, light vocals lulling the audience into a rather quiescent state. Even the playing of their instruments reflects their tender nature, as Anne strums her guitar so gently it appears she is barely stroking it, let alone dictating it with a vigour that most guitarists usually attack with. Halfway through the set their style changes noticeably, changing the ambience in the room completely, and perhaps for the better. The mellow essence previously exhibited is replaced with heavier guitars and drum thrashing that pounds straight through the heart of the room. Vocally there is a swift change too, with Anne's voice becoming stronger and more determined, and displaying a definite Bjork-like edge. Yet despite this change, the chilling nature their songs emit is never lost and it is clear that this acts as an integral element to their overall sound.
Harrys Gym certainly have plenty of potential and they are undoubtedly on their way to being something special. The problem is that as beautiful as their dreamy sound may be, it is sometimes too light and fragile to actually make an impact. Ultimately, the band need to define their overall sound better and work on creating a greater stage presence, and it will be after this that we will see them maximise their talent to the full.
This review was originally posted on www.the-fly.co.uk
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