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In December 2012, trio London Grammar released the song ‘Hey Now’ online, and almost immediately, whispers began. They were tipped as one to watch, as all signs suggested they would be the next big thing. To create such hype with a single song, undoubtedly put pressure on the band, but their debut album, ironically titled If You Wait has been months in the making and more than delivers on early promises of greatness.
London Grammar are Dan Rothman, Dot Major and Hannah Reid
Vocalist Hannah Reid plays an important role in the London Grammar sound, it is her voice which haunts each track and evokes such feeling and intensity within the listener; and 'Hey Now' is a great example of this. Indeed the comparisons to Florence Welch and Stevie Nicks are understandable, as are those with The xx. But they should not detract from London Grammars sophisticated and evocative songs. ‘Wasting My Young Years’ is a song of raw vocal intensity combined with soothing percussion, ‘Metal and Dust’, and title track ‘If You Wait’ are again, powerful but never overwhelming. In fact, the album flows with such smoothness and continuity that it is hard to find anything but praise for the record. The band have said that they want to find the beauty in the imperfections, and if that is the case then If You Wait’ is a beautifully imperfect album.
Listen to London Grammar's first major hit, 'Wasting My Young Years'
It is not often that an album is hailed as a potential Mercury Award winner before the nominations are even out, but already Mercury buzz surrounds London Grammar's debut release. Regardless of the outcome, London Grammar have created a powerful album which lives up to and exceeds the hype that has led them to this.
