The Leisure Society - Last Of The Melting Snow (Wilkommen Records)
UK release date: 15 December 2008
Unless you're a big fan of film director Shane Meadows, it's unlikely you'll have heard of The Leisure Society. And, thanks to the festive glut of novelty singles from talent show contestants and celebrities, you're unlikely to hear them much this Christmas too. Which is a shame, for in a parallel universe, this is Christmas Number One every year.
The man behind The Leisure Society is one Nick Hemming, composer of music for Meadows films Dead Man's Shoes and A Room For Romeo Brass (he was also in a band with Meadows and actor Paddy Considine) and if this debut single is anything to go by, he's going to be a name to watch out for next year. Last Of The Melting Snow is a beautifully frail slice of chamber pop, recalling Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart with some gorgeous orchestration swelling softly in the background.
It's the sort of song you can put on when it's cold and snowy outside and instantly feel warm, and with Radio 2 and 6Music both picking up on it, maybe this year will be a Christmas for underdogs ..
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