Xylaroo – Psalms 23 (2020)
Blending catchy melodies with insightful lyrics, sisters Coco and Holly form the insatiable band Xylaroo. Influenced by their multi-continental upbringing, the dynamic duo approach music with the flair of Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka, the buoyancy of Hong Kong and the intensity of East London. An odd name for a band, but the odd name is making waves on an international level featured in She Makes Music, Northern Transmissions, God Is In The TV, Musik Blog, Altitude Devon, Sunday Best, BBC6 Radio, Xfm and Jamsphere. Not only are they in diverse publications, but the sisters have supported well-established artists like Mika, Pup and Frank Turner. The latest addition to their repertoire is ‘Psalms 23’.
Recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown, ‘Psalms 23’ combines the simple, steady instrumentation with haunting vocals. Written as a tribute to “Mariam”, Xylaroo uses personal narratives to explore the nostalgic nature of the human spirit. According to the dynamic duo, the tale is one of an aimless person who is guided home by a vagabond shepherd while recalling moments spent with the person they loved. Definitely nostalgic, in concept and in sound, Xylaroo effortlessly creates a moving soundscape with their new single.
Accompanied by guitarist and producer Joe Singleton, Xylaroo embrace a richer, steadier tone in the new track; however, they maintain the delicate “bare-bones” style enhancing the poignancy of ‘Psalms 23’. Using the intimacy of Leonard Cohen and Don Mclean, the sisters use brusque lyricism performed with a moody vocal tone to illustrate strong sentimentality and raw honesty in the track. It’s slightly dark, but the eerie sound showcases Xylaroo’s innovativeness and depth as artists.
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