Music Review - Ukmusicsearch - Reviews

A collaboration between Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval and My Bloody Valentines' Colm O'Ciosoig, At the doorway again is a four track EP of hauntingly beautiful songs. First track, Around my smile is full of echoey guitars reminiscent of Dear Jane era Velvet Underground. Hope Sandoval's vocals are as gorgeous as ever, singing in a lazy, just woken up in the morning drawl and still managing to inject passion and life into the lyrics, that the likes of Dido and Jewel will probably never achieve in their entire careers. Repeating the line "I've got it going" over tinkly music box sound effects and various guitar noises, it's an achingly beautiful song that's perfect for that late night twilight feeling. Next track, Charlotte is an acoustic led song about heartbreak and loss with the same beautiful vocals, and key changes that pull on your heartstrings, sad but beautiful, the vocal equivalent of a Hal Hartley film. Sparkly treads the same ground and features a spooky keyboard sound over a lone acoustic guitar and cello, with undecipherable lyrics sung in a breathless style reminiscent of The Cocteau Twins. Last track, Down the steps is another gorgeous song full of heartbreak and regret. All in all, this is a beautiful EP full of simple great songs, one to cherish and keep like a secret.