Sons & Daughters: This Gift

Label: Domino

You might write off Sons and Daughters as just another twee pop Scottish outfit, with their guy-girl harmonies and Glaswegian hometown. But you would be making a grave mistake. The title track, “This Gift,” kicks off the foursome’s greatly anticipated third release with alternating male-female vocals amid punchy drums and a bassline that steadies swirling, uproarious guitars – we are worlds away from Belle & Sebastian. And singer Adele Bethel’s vocals, brash and rebel-rousing, is a rude awakening if you’re used to Isobel Campbell’s wispy coo. Still, this is a charming record, with Bethel’s disarming brogue and hints of folk laced into the guitar fury (such as in the catchy “Split Lips”). Sons and Daughters have often been compared to their label-mates and fellow Glaswegians Franz Ferdinand, but This Gift should solidify the band as an entity completely unique, individual, and awesome from all other Scottish acts, past or present. (Carrie)