North Atlantic Oscillation
‘Grappling Hooks’
(Kscope)

Nerd alert! The North Atlantic Oscillation is a climatic phenomenon of fluctuations in the difference of atmospheric pressure at sea level. Eh?! Luckily for us, the plucky Scottish trio who take their name from this occurrence are a lot easier to define, with swooping keyboards and intricate drum patterns that veer between The Flaming Lips and Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. ‘Cell Count’ is NAO at their best – gradually climbing towards a stirring chorus as synths creep in and out amidst the crashing of cymbals. ‘Drawing Maps From Memory’ threatens to slip into Feeder-esque dirge but, thankfully, ‘Grappling Hooks’’ moments of beauty – like the shimmering, gentle march towards the crashing chorus of ‘Ritual’ – far outweigh its occasional plodding nature, ensuring that, for now, the forecast looks good for North Atlantic Oscillation.

Matt Glass