Elephant - Sky Swimming

Elephant’s debut, ‘Sky Swimming’, illustrates the issues of growing up, struggles of surviving in the big city and the turbulent romance which the duo, Amelia Rivas and Christian Pinchbeck, experienced during the creation of this album.

‘Bedroom Pop’ more often than not feels like a student who’s forgotten to brush their teeth before a date – tastes of undesirability. Contrastingly, ‘Sky Swimming’ is a finished work of art. It’s coiffed. It smells good. It’s ready to go.

The skeleton of the album was realised on a cheap, charity-shop Casio keyboard. Late nights and non-existent mornings occupied the hours of creation for the duo who hardly knew each other at the time of writing. Amelia’s vocals are the selling point of the band – she makes every track either float up or lounge down. ‘Sky Swimming’ is a cohesive compilation of songs that may change in theme but never its soul.

Staying acutely modern, ‘Torn Tongues’ inspires like ‘Greensleeves’ whilst ‘Skyscraper’ has all the trappings of a Shakespearean dream scene as it charms with a Sunday afternoon bass. One can’t help but imagine Amelia and Christian walking through a field of daffodils, sunflowers, wheat (or some other highly picturesque plant that sways attractively in a music video) at sunset.

‘Shipwreck’ is a slow jam for the middle class - it’s disgustingly easy to fall for her silky vocals. Thankfully, the climax is diffused with the effects of Amelia’s voice cutting in and out like a low bit-rate download.

‘Shapeshifter’ and ‘TV Dinner’ open like the start of an ‘80s hip-hop sample, drums play driving rhythms under an uplifting melody that contrasts sharply with the melancholy which pervades throughout the lyrics.

Elephant have shown they are adept at placing experimental elements in appropriate corners of the album. But above all, they are solid songwriters who have cracked how to pull emotions out of their listeners. Just like humanity’s primordial obsession with fire, ‘Sky Swimming’ is difficult to disengage with.