The Thousands

Houlette is the sugar cube in your Stockholm Blend tea. Their French-pop, country-esque folk minimalism reminds you of bettertimes, of simpler times when salt came iodised and men rode horses. 

Bless Bless (which translates to ‘farewell’ in Icelandic) is the band’s debut album, following the successes of their precursor releases. Front woman Felicity Cripps’ siren voice and heavenly lyricisms make for the most infectious of folk-pop records. The album’s second single and stand out track ‘Tee Vee’ features band member Liam Linley’s smokey vocals married against peppy guitar riffs, classic driving beats and melodic bass lines it makes for a deliciously satisfying and swayable boy/girl duet.

‘Charlie Feathers’ is the upbeat country ballad while ‘Doux Reve’ is the French ode – while you may not know exactly what is being said, you know that it’s heart felt. Opening track ‘Pine Island’ is the first single off the album, its ‘hooing’ vocals and balmy melody are the perfect soundtrack to dancing the jive under the moonlight. ‘Longtime’, another pounding duet is felt to life with bitter sweet violin and aching vocals. Cripps gives Chan Marshall a run for her heartache (and full fringe).

Put this record on, watch the rain fall outside and think only lovely and blessed thoughts.