Junkboy - Three

Three is the magic number

Hove-based Junkboy have produced a minor lo-fi masterpiece with their third long-player. This lush, pastoral slice of DIY prog-folk is a real grower. On first listen, the melodic soundscapes may wash over you, but second time they’ll take hold, and by the third you’ll be utterly hooked.

Three is a labour of love, with the primary influences of The Beach Boys, Canterbury prog, Bert Jansch, early Floyd and Pentangle on show, alongside subtle leanings towards ambient electronica, with the occasional bars sounding oddly like Lemon Jelly – though they’d hate us for saying it.

Right from the evocative jazzy drum-and-piano intro of Volcano Mono, through to the delicate guitar and vocals of Tonight and the triumphant album finale Waiting For…, Mik and Rich Hanscomb have created a delicious brand of bedroom prog-folk. Their textures of sound, aided by cameos from some gifted musicians, are sometimes simple and endearing, at other times more challenging, but always beautifully melodic and brilliantly arranged, particularly on album highs There Is Light, Red Firecracker and Kamo River. And at 46 minutes, this 10-track LP never outstays its welcome.

Enraptured | RAPTCD 55

Reviewed by Jono Scott
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