The Ghost Of An Unkissed Kiss

New EP from Trembling Blue Stars, who have just finished their fourth album, 'Alive To Every Smile' (due out on Sub Pop in October), produced by Ian Catt (St. Etienne, Kylie, Shampoo, others). The single: a couple of guitar slashes, an achingly vulnerable vocal, a drum-roll and suddenly it's a Classic Pop Single, replete with splendidly annoying chorus and crescendo of harmonies at the end. Also features three exclusive tracks: the slow-brooding epics "Before We Know It" and "As Long As She's Needed" which feature departed co-vocalist Annemari Davies' original vocal lines. The closer "While Your Heart Is Still Beating" is a quiet, haunting anti-suicide-note meditation on growing old but not giving in - "I forget I'm not young, but where's it written in stone by now you should be this... feel the rush that sends me reeling, I want to overdose on feelings...". Since the last album, the band has become a 5-piece. Bobby Wratten (Field Mice, Northern Picture Library) is joined on bass by Keris Howard (Brighter, Harper Lee), now on vocals is Beth Arzy (Aberdeen), while Jonathan Akerman plays drums and Harvey Williams (Field Mice, Another Sunny Day) on guitars and keyboards.