Question of the day. Is the conceptual world of music in Glasgow to be forever handicapped by the scourge of the parochial and the ruefully anointed underclass of noisy indie rock? Got a degree? Then pick up a clarsach (don’t worry – I had to look that one up as well). Have trouble tying your shoelaces? Just copy any or all indie rock bands and off you can go.
Then, somewhere in the middle - just like in those adverts on the telly - you will find New Town Triptych. Whist certainly seasoned with more than a sprinkle of folk music heritage, this Glasgow three piece know that having a melody that has populist appeal is always a good plan. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, “Just How You Designed” sounds like a rock song that has been adapted to the ways of modern urban folk. Skilfully adapted too, as it sounds both familiar and new simultaneously even if it stretchs what is commonly referred to as a middle eight out into double figures.
A tighter pleasure is easily gained by “The Things That Keep Me Here” with endearing and ever so slightly untidy male/female vocal interplay powering the song right into even the most stone cold of hearts. “Killing Time”, however, is clearly the serious song of this three song set reaching near Ricky Ross levels of emotiveness but, hey, it’s classy nonetheless.
Judging by these three songs, New Town Triptych are indeed a nicely balanced act.