Rose Elinor Dougall - Start / Stop / Synchro

Since they finished touring their début album The Pipettes have undergone some tough times. They’ve had more line-up changes than Sugababes, with one of the most noticeable differences being that the member regarded by many to be the greatest vocal talent in the group has left to go solo. ‘Start/Stop/Synchro’ is Rose Elinor Dougall’s second single (following on from the brilliant ‘Another Version of Pop Song’), and appears to be on course to smash her girl-group achievements to smithereens.

No longer being held to the polka-dot pop styling of her former group, Rose’s voice shines as bright as ever. It has always been sublimely pretty and is now set to music that matches. Rose seems to have gone to great pains to stress her personal influences (Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine) yet this doesn’t seem necessary as they’re more than apparent on this single. It’s dreamy, light and whimsical – too much so, it could be argued.

Whenever the lightness of the song threatens to allow it to be blown away in the first breeze there’s always a trick to anchor it. At times vocals soar in conjunction with some scratchy guitar and at others it’s the racing rhythm in which the bass guitar rides to the fore. It’s not perfect yet, but Rose Elinor Dougall is undoubtedly an intriguing talent, and an act to keep an eye on.