Featuring Niall Toner Jr – former vocalist-guitarist with 1990s outfit The Cajun Kings (and before that The Dixons) – and ex-Pelvis frontman Johnny Rowan, who take turns on lead vocals and songwriting duties, the Lofires are very much a laid back, late night affair with an intimate approach to performance.
There’s a lonesome resignation and world-weariness to Toner’s ethereal, cinematic opener ‘Desert Songs’, while Rowan’s ‘Far Away’ evokes early Neil Young, especially in the falsetto vocals department. The backing throughout is minimal, consciously low key and lo-fi. The tempo picks up on the jaunty country rocker ‘Won’t Be Home’ while other highlights include the Van Morrison-esque ‘Last Breath’ and the country ballad ‘Only Game In Town’, which boasts a memorable melody and sweet harmonies. But this is about as far from The X-Factor as you can get. Which, of course, is a recommendation...