I’ve been a fan of the work of Andy Jossi for a while now. His ability to sculpt gorgeous soundscapes mirrored by his signature artwork is something to behold. I have followed The Churchhill Garden for years now but I have yet to dip into the world of The Blue Herons. Time to put that right.
The transatlantic duo of Andy Jossi in Switzerland and Gretchen DeVault in the United States have been building their sound since 2020.Their work sits comfortably between jangle pop and dreampop, with lines of comparison being drawn between The Sundays and Alvvays among others. With their debut album Demon Slayer on the horizon via the label that never disappoints, Shelflife Records, this new single feels like a confident statement of intent rather than a tentative introduction to The Blue Herons
‘Willow’ arrives with a lightness of touch that immediately draws you in. The guitar line has that familiar glimmer that fans of classic jangle pop will recognise. There is a nice bounce to the rhythm that keeps the track buoyant, while the vocals sit cleanly in the mix, calm and assured, never fighting for space. DeVault’s vocals are the perfect foil for Jossi’s guitar work. Dreamy and punchy at the same time. In fact, the backing vocals toward the latter half add a soft cinematic edge, giving the final refrain a sense of majesty that is well and truly earned.
Knowing that ‘Willow’ was written and recorded remotely across continents only adds to its appeal. There is a sense of conversation embedded in the arrangement, ideas passed back and forth until they settle into something cohesive and emotionally direct. As a first taste of Demon Slayer, it suggests an album built on trust and intuition, where atmosphere serves the song rather than swallowing it whole.
If this single is any indication, The Blue Herons are setting up a record that’s going to be very exciting indeed.
You can hear ‘Willow’ now over on The Blue Herons Bandcamp page. Keep an eye out for Demon Slayer ahead of its April release via Shelflife Records.
You can follow The Blue Herons on social media here…
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