Pure M Magazine Issue 4 Feb. 2015 | Page 43

Liu Bei: Goodness EP 43 Review by Sean Coyle O ne good thing about the impact of the internet and its relationship with music is that there has never been a greater time for independent music to shine. Enter London based five piece band Liu Bei (pronounced Lou Bay). They are about to release their brand new E.P. called Goodness following hot on the heels of their debut single Infatuation which was released last year to positive acclaim. The E.P. kicks off with the melodic title track which is an eclectic rock-tinged ballad; the songs mellow mood is fuelled by lead singer Richard Walters’s haunting voice and the songs lyrics are romantic and poetic. The sound of the EP is trance fuelled and is very reminiscent of The Killers or even 90’s house masters Massive Attack, these comparisons do not diminish the sound of this group with Lou Bei being ones to watch for 2015.The distinctive sound is propelled by the next two songs Fields featuring Rachel Goswell and Knotweed, these two songs provide a stimulating, cool trance laden vibe with Fields eerie sound and Knotweed’s pulsing drum and bass rhythms. Liu Bei are a breath of fresh air as it has been while since we have encountered an alternative David Knowles The Alchemist Review by Ailish Ryan David Knowles is a singer-songwriter based in Edinburgh. Having recently released a four song taster EP entitled ‘The Alchemist’, his musical style has been compared to that of Ray Lamontagne and Damien Rice to name but a few. He takes lyrical inspiration from some of the classically torn and misunderstood men of literature, such as Jack Kerouac, Oscar Wilde and Hunter Thompson. Constantly inspired by his unrelenting need to travel and explore, his use of instrumentation and the subject of his so