Throughout the years acoustica has always lived or died by the quality and variety of its narrative. Unlike most other genres the sparseness and clarity of the sound has always empowered the lyricist and ensured that what's said - and even how it's said - has retained an unquestionable level of authority.

This fact is not lost on Pittsburgh duo David Leicht and Raymond Morin. Pairdown, the vehicle for their jazz-blended acoustics, is a bold, complex and high-brow approach to modern-day acoustica. Exploring subject matters rarely considered in modern-day rock, let alone the comparatively pure confines of acoustica, the narrative of their debut album 'Holykyle' tackles weighty themes with a sure-footed aplomb.

From leftfield literary-referencing through intricate tales of ambiguous American life (the album kicks off with 'Percy In Her Hairfork' a song about a Gulf War deserter harboured by a former lover) 'Holykyle' is a sprawling work of art that, whilst occasionally being a little too smart for its own good, infuses Pairdown's music with a real sense of impact and voice.

The music itself is brave too. This is not just plain old acoustica cut-n-shut awkwardly alongside some telling, insightful narrative; far from it. The music reflects the ambition and range of the subject matters that Leicht and Morin have looked to explore, with ornate harmonies, sprightly jazz wig-outs and lush bluesy melodies weaved deliciously into the thread-work of the record.

All of this expansive songwriting distils itself perfectly in the album's stand-out track 'Burning Up A Winning Ticket', a song which shows Pairdown to be every bit as capable of following Great Lake Swimmers onto the cusp of the mainstream. More please.

'Holykyle' is available now from Sort Of Records. The album can be bought from the labels' official site.

Words: Louise Lake
Official site: www.sortofrecords.com