Laura Groves (who previously recorded under the moniker Blue Roses) has released her first new solo material since 2009, with the digital (and vinyl) release of the Thinking about Thinking EP on Deek Recordings.
The opening track, Inky Sea, has a real late night feel, with the dark rhodes piano and layered 80s keyboards reminding me of Cliff Martinez‘s Drive soundtrack.
The music has progressed from 2009’s mostly acoustic Blue Roses album, and benefits from a much wider production palette.
After the beatless opening song, Pale Shadows is driven by a tight drum machine track, and back to the 80s again, has hints of China Crisis & The Cocteau Twins in the instrumentation, topped off with a very Robert Smith like guitar riff. It’s probably my favourite of the 4 tracks, with hints of Fleetwood Mac in the chorus (always a good thing!)
Sadly, a by-product of the post-CD age, it’s impossible to tell who is playing on the tracks as there are no liner notes with this digital release.
“When the walls break down, it’s a beautiful thing”
Easy Way Out sneaks in a crafty bossa-nova beat and a strong bassline to underpin the complex, ever-evolving arrangement, that grabs you after repeated plays.
The title track of Thinking About Thinking slows down the tempo of the EP, and has a real USA West-Coast vibe, with hints of mid-70’s Todd Rundgren seeping through to my wise old brain.
At times, the close harmonies remind me of Prince‘s sublime Sometimes It Snows In April from the Parade album.
I hope the EP is a taster for a new album in the not-too-distant future. If you liked the Blue Roses album, or are a fan of early Kate Bush, this EP will be something you will want to investigate, so go on, treat your ears.
Buy the EP
Buy Laura Groves – Thinking About Thinking EP from Bandcamp
Other releases
Buy the Blue Roses album from Amazon
Buy the Does Anyone Love Me Now? EP (featuring Grammatics) and the excellent First Frost Night on Amazon
Buy the I Am Leaving Single (featuring the wonderful Moments Before Sleep) from Amazon
Mr Kinski's Music Shack 
[…] This is Laura Groves second EP, the follow-up to 2013’s dreamlike Thinking About Thinking (EP). […]
LikeLike