Gretel Hänlyn - Head Of The Love Club

The Londoner’s second EP, there’s a lot about ‘Head of the Love Club’ that feels like Gretel Hänlyn still trying things out for size. The cap fits best when she’s amalgamating all her ‘90s influences. Opener ‘Dry Me’ evokes self-titled-era Blur in its guitars while, vocally, her low register and careful enunciation brings to mind Sleeper’s Louise Wener - albeit playing with emphasis in a Sparks-like manner. ‘Wiggy’, too, fuels the alt-rock fire with its galvanising guitar sounds and crashing drums that pair so well with her voice. Once the distracting first minute is out of the way, the title track gives us a hint of Hole, and closer ‘Today (can’t help but cry)’ showcases a Dolores O’Riordan lilt. Which is all to say, these aspects complement Gretel’s songwriting and natural sound perfectly: there’s enough of each to excite, but not so much of any to sound revivalist, or pastiche. Which is why it’s a shame that the potential of ‘King of Nothing’ - the strongest song on the record, and a live standout - is all but lost among its muted drums and tempered guitar.