SOUTH OF POLARIS
The Year After
South of Polaris, are a Bedfordshire-based duo, blending southern Spain’s Flamenco with Folk, Rock, and Theatrical influences. Listening to their debut EP "The Year After" the first impression gained was that it was a collective musing on the nature and experience of love and loss. Further investigation revealed that the songs were all inspired by the passing of Danii’s father. It may then appear that this is an introspective set of songs, but whilst they are obviously both deeply personal and intensely emotional, there is a universality to the theme that transcends the initial focus on one individual.
The songs are beautifully delivered with vocal purity, clarity and power when required. Given the emotional intensity of the lyrics, this is particularly welcome, as every word can be heard. Saúl’s accompanying guitar work provides a largely sparse yet delicate complement, although with the occasional flamenco flourish, but again, given the nature of the material, this is both welcome and appropriate. Altogether a package that has emotional resonance beyond the immediate subject, and as far as South of Polaris go, these are presumably a springboard to further releases, featuring a wider subject nature and we look forward to that.
