The title track, ‘Clock Hands’ has a gorgeous intro, with an eerie, alternative folk sound. There is very much a child-like quality in the vocals that are sickly sweet, too. The eerie quality carries over into the vocals and the music. ‘Clock Hands’ would work just as well, if not better, instrumentally. It’s in a similar vein to The Anchoress minus Catherine A. Davies’ soul and richness. ‘Clock Hands’ grows in confidence two-and-a-half minutes in. A little late but better late than never.
‘Fire In A Classroom’ opens on tiny beginnings that gradually add in a handful of layers, resulting in an ethereal sound overall that’s breathy and overly sweet. Again, it would work very nicely indeed if it was instrumental. But I’m not entirely sure if the vocals add anything at all. ‘Footsteps’ is even more light and airy than the previous. I feel like I’m repeating myself, but the vocals, whilst nice they don’t seem to add much, and detract from the beautiful melodies of the music behind them.
‘Hush’ is a little different, though. It’s a fraction more upbeat than any other track so far on the EP. Much more of the melodies can be heard here, too. HAWK like their small, slight and atmospheric intros and it seems to work well. OK, so I take that back, fifth and final track ‘Guardian’ opens with a drum solo intro before giving way to those cloying vocals. ‘Guardian’ is clearly the stand-out track of the entire EP; they’ve definitely saved the best for last, gradually growing in confidence until it shimmers and glitters towards the close, dropping right back down to the bare minimum for last 10 seconds. It’s a grand effort, but HAWK don’t seem to be bringing anything new to the table. Still, perhaps it’s worth keeping an eye on them, just in case. There’s definite potential there I just don’t think this is it.
[Rating:3]
Release date: 23rd February
