THE NAIRA PROJECT

The Naira Project are a two-piece studio project from Lincoln featuring founding member, and regular Metal Discovery contributor, Steve Cowan, and 'ICE' who was recruited in 2008 (although a full live lineup has now been assembled with live shows currently being planned). Originally formed as SandS around a decade ago, this particular musical venture of Cowan's was resurrected a couple of years back under the name Naira, before evolving into 'The Naira Project'. 'Standing At The Edge Of Despair' is the second single to be released under this latest moniker, and is comprised of three songs that are best loosely described as ambient neo-folk with occasional bursts of quasi-rock proclivities (such as the last third of second track 'Elations'). While the vocals on 'Standing At The Edge of Despair' will appeal to many, some will undoubtedly find the raw delivery less palatable. Folk-edged, they waiver between sonance and dissonance, albeit with a bias to the former, and bring to mind the likes of Darren White (ex-Anathema, now Serotonal - coincidentally two bands The Naira Project state as influences on their MySpace page). Perhaps the true essence of the music on offer here is in the skilled songwriting as passages of understated, although atmospherically affective, piano are cleverly interweaved with sections of emotively orchestrated guitar and all wrapped up in a sonically agreeable production. And this impressive release, at least for me, really shines with its closing track, 'Sick Man', an effective blend of profound narration and ambient piano. Most definitely worth checking out.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Self-released

EP

STANDING AT THE EDGE OF DESPAIR

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

20:57

RELEASE DATE:

30th June 2008

TRACK LISTING

1) The Wake In Which We Leave
2) Elations

1. Rebirth
2. Rising
3. Elations

3) Sick Man

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"...the true essence of the music on offer here is in the skilled songwriting..."