The recently formed Bottle Rockets hail from Glasgow. Original members John Tamburrini (vocals/guitars) and Sam Rae (drums) had been playing together for a while but, in 2021, they began to release music once Andrew Cummings (bass) and Kenzi Murray (vocals) joined the band.
Let’s look at their two releases:
When I Tell You
The beauty of the Cocteau Twins and Johnny Marr’s guitars is given fresh impetus by the frontwoman Kenzi Murray. Tamburrini’s adopted guitar style, traditionally, would meander aimlessly and shoegaze and goth fans would sway blissfully. With the introduction of Murray though, a laser-like focus has been added to his beautiful licks.
Even when she drops the intensity in the breakdown, an intoxicating and brooding intensity emanates from her soul. Enigmatic and focused, they are the natural successors to Wolf Alice’s thrown.
Life’s A Bitch
Their debut single was released last year before Kenzi joined. Despite her vocal prowess missing, letting Tamburrini’s fragile indie vocal soar adds a depth to the band that few can compete with.
They take the warped minds of Killing Joke to a more melodic but none less meaningful place. Intense but always infectious, this is the soundtrack to those long summers where formative minds seek to take on the world.
Live Performan*Image courtesy of @shaun_fox_photography