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Maupa - Helpless (Necessary)
release date: 1 December 2003

 
Maupa - Helpless

Helpless is beautiful. Breezy, delay-heavy guitars and intricate, intertwining riffs create a whoozy, irresistible backdrop for the sweet, poignant, breathy vocal melodies of David Boon to sway along with the music, and plead with the listener.

The sextet (yes, six, no less) are certainly not afraid to play with noise. Their large size belies the delicate noise they produce, and Maupa channel their size into creating elaborate melodies with dizzy keys. Each member is integral to the luscious sound they produce, or so their website blurb suggests, listing some of the more bizarre responsibilities each member has. For example, Boon is also in charge of "metallic disintegration" and "weird noises", whilst guitarist Lorcan Moriarty takes care of "trippy delays" and "lazy swells".

Sounding like a cross between Elbow and a chilled out Starsailor, whilst retaining bags of individuality, this is one of the best debut singles released in a long time, creatively at least, and these six lads from Accrington are definitely a band on which to keep a firm eye in the coming months.

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