Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk – Wasted

By RingMaster Review on September 22, 2014 • ( 0 )

Sinisterly seductive, Wasted is one of those songs which gets under the skin and leaves an inescapable temptation to persistently tease thoughts and emotions. The track is the debut single from UK band Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk, and easy to suggest possibly the beginning of a big affair between artist and British hearts.

Hailing from Manchester, Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk is fronted by actress and chanteuse Mary Joanna Coogan. Behind her comes a wealth of experience and talent provided by guitarists Zack Davies and Stephen Evans (Twisted Wheel), bassist Steven Tatji (Paris Angels, Rude Club), drummer Spencer Birtwhistle (Interstella, The Fall), and Rikki Turner (Paris Angels) on keys. Together they cast a weave of sound which binds essences of post punk, shoegaze, psychedelia, and electronic ingenuity into something which is as unique as it is warmly familiar. As evidenced by the single, it is a heady mix from the band and with the siren-esque tones of Coogan quite irresistible.

From a virulently coaxing of tempting beats from Birtwhistle, the song soon casts a shadowed emotion over its entrance through a riveting bass tone and the vocal croon of Coogan. Radiant shards of guitar ignite the developing landscape whilst a darker breath of keys only adds to the sultry climate of the encounter. It is a compelling adventure which is as hauntingly mesmeric as it is virulently infectious, the hypnotic rhythms and expressive sounds creating a flavoursome canvas for the stunning voice of Coogan to colour and soak in tantalising expression.

Backed by the similarly engaging You Knew You Knew, the single is a stunning entrance by the band. The second song drifts in on a warm breeze of a melody courted by a shadow kissed bassline. It is another irresistible enticement which expels further mesmeric heat with the gentle but full temptation of Coogan’s voice and harmonies. Binding ears and imagination in a persistent echo like persuasion of guitar and keys enterprise, the track smoulders with suggestive elegance, its sonic fascination not quite matching Wasted but certainly give it a thrilling run for its money.

One release is never really enough to suggest greatness ahead but Wasted definitely has thoughts and passions veering in that direction…outstanding stuff.

Wasted is available digitally now @ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wasted/id906058361?i=906058371&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

https://www.facebook.com/maryjoannaandthesouthernelectrikk

RingMaster 22/09/2014