From its first gentle kiss the self-titled album from UK indie band Argonaut never relinquishes its spell on thoughts and emotions not to forget holding an unbreakable grip on the ear. A shimmering sun of evocative ambiences and provocative warmth, the album immerses the listener in ethereal elegance and persuasive imagination whilst quietly enslaving the passions.
The quintet from London state influences as the likes of Sonic Youth, Garbage, Hole, The Pixies and many more, essences which whisper loudly from within the ten track release. To those you can also add the likes of Propaganda and The Sundays as a strong eighties wind blows from within their invention, as well as from the now The Mouth Of Ghosts. Argonaut holds their own distinct stance though despite the rich spices and over recent months has begun to truly catch the imagination of a widening awareness awaking to their creative sound. The band were signed up by Criminal Records for the release of their recent single and album, the band gaining interest on the London ‘toilet circuit’ whatever that means but surely nothing as seedy as imagination dares think up.
The album begins with the single Monet, a song which invites the listener into its arms with a brewing resonance with glowing bass 
caresses drawing in fiery guitar sonics and the golden voice of Lorna Lyons, her voice a temptation impossible to refuse. Guitar spires light the magnetic ambience of the song whilst the infectious chorus seductively nuzzles the senses, the track itself working under the skin and submerging the emotions in a sunset of aural colour to reap the fullest ardour from its recipient.
The following Touch Electric opens up its sinews, the bass a grumbling prowl around the ear whilst electro cascades light the way for the guitars to flash and graze across the heart of the song. Occasionally a B-52s flicker winks in the pop tease of the song whilst within its scintillating coarse surface and almost childlike vocal tones the likes of Daisy Chainsaw mischievously peer out. With a grunge feistiness to its encounter the song instantly shows a depth to the songwriting and invention of the band and a continuation of their skill to enchant and enthral.
More Life and 2 Lights continue to show a variety and skilled invention from the band, the first a smouldering stroll through a weave of sonic beauty and melodic grace steered with raw energy and blistered intensity whilst the second works on the passions with a persistent bass lure and niggling guitar barbs. The vocals scorch the heart with their lush allure and all combined with creeping shadows skirting the finesse of the song, there is a Breeders/Belly enticement.
The latter part of the album immerses into an even deeper dreaminess with enveloping sounds which arguably elude reaching earlier set heights on the album or sparking raging fires inside but the likes of the delicious They Can Bury You, the haunting Spectres where Lyons is at her most Clare Grogan-esque, and the alluring Chemistry never fail to leave an eager thirst for more quenched.
Amongst these songs there awaits the further triumphs of Vintage Dress and the closing track Sleep Tight. The first is an entrancing sway which takes no time in offering influences of The Cure through the bassline which has cheekily been cloned from A Forest but is just irresistible so all is forgiven. The song itself saunters with beacons of melodic grandeur pervaded by encroaching shadows, the result a pulsating bewitching that holds the listener lovingly whilst gently passing over dark emotive tinges. The final song is also a darker companion but one which fuses shaded emotions with a compelling luminance. Like the most rewarding enchanting dusk that any day could offer the song allows the album to leave on a warm breeze which beckons an immediate return.
Argonaut with their album confirms that the buzz around them is more than justified whilst suggesting the band will reach greater more impressive heights over the near horizon. This is simply an album not to be missed.
https://www.facebook.com/argonautband
8/20
RingMaster 14/03/2013
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