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Sacred Paws return with a new record full of brightness and optimism: "We write music to cheer ourselves up"

Glasgow duo Sacred Paws follow up their Scottish Album of the Year-winning debut with another collection of pop gems.

Glasgow’s Sacred Paws don’t want to wallow in the doom and gloom of a world full of relentless misery. Instead, they fill their guitar pop songs with a bright and infectious optimism that makes their second album ‘Run Around The Sun’ a glorious experience.

The duo of guitarist Rachel and drummer Eilidh already set hearts fluttering with their acclaimed 2015 debut ‘Strike A Match’ which even went on to win the Scottish Album Of The Year Award. Now though, they’ve returned emboldened with a new record full of brightness and optimism.

You can hear them having fun as they rush through a collection of ear-worm like guitar lines flecked with brass and all manner of other musical adornments which give their sound it’s distinctive quality. “We’re an indie pop band, but we have a punk heart,” proclaims Rachel. “We listen to a lot of mainstream pop music but also a lot of roots music from throughout the world, a lot of South African guitar playing and drumming.”

Their first album was the product of years of gigging and collaborating within the Glasgow indie scene and beyond. With Rachel originally based in London, the duo had to find a way to create. Now though, Rachel has moved up to join Eilidh, and the pair have been able to work more closely together.

Songs like ‘The Conversation’ and the brass filled joy of ‘Almost Here’ highlight how Sacred Paws have developed their sound but lost none of their exuberance while the album also contains real moments of wistful beauty. Lyrically, they examine the themes central to all their work.

“We were talking about time, growing up and looking back with nostalgia,” says Rachel.

Ultimately though, their songs are organic moments of alchemy, a relationship between two vocalists and writers. There’s no grand plan or statement, just a desire to express themselves in a naturally tender way.

Taken from the June issue of Dork. Sacred Paws' album 'Run Around The Sun' is out now.

Words: Martyn Young

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