Don’t let the acoustic guitars fool you. Turin Brakes has an interminable strength. Their latest album, Outbursts, has the power of a great pop record without the mirage of electronics. Combining humble harmony and minimalist musicality, the London-based duo of Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian play like front porch veterans and unsigned rebels who have found beauty in their music through its simple denial of extravagance.
Outbursts is a diverse and eclectic project which sometimes is nothing more than a voice and strings, but can then rise to a chorus and full band of drums and xylophones. Still, it never feels overdone and somehow always feels effortless. It is like an unexplained happiness, where there is contentment in the small and joy in the grand, with never a need for justification. Turin Brakes boldly sings songs about love, courage, and unity that is finally – and unbelievably – believable. See them at TT The Bear’s on Tuesday May 25 at 9PM.