Codeine Velvet Club - Vanity Kills [Single]

Island Records - Out Now

So how would you like to hear the lead singer of The Fratellis sing songs that sound like Frank Sinatra should be warbling them? Doesn't sound too appealing does it? So that is why it's a relief to hear the glamourous holler of Lou Hickey is on-board to grab your attention and really make Codeine Velvet Club stand out from the banal.

'Vanity Kills' sounds big in scope with it's big band backing and layered vocals melded to a simple 60s classical vibe that is both over-the-top with the dramatics and almost sinister in it's delivery. Jon Lawler (the Fratelli by the way) hasn't really written anything this good before and in getting Lou Hickey to silkily drape herself over it all he's almost earned my respect.

Codeine Velvet Club may to some just seem pretentious because let's face it everybody is getting together now and forming inter-band shenanigans. But where Codeine Velvet Club goes right is in finally giving a platform to Lou Hickey who deserves it as she's been a stalwart of the Glasgow music scene for far too long now with little recognition, Codeine Velvet Club will finally give her that.