Ian M. Bailey - Shots of Sun

by Fiona Hutchings

published: 9 / 6 / 2021

Label: Green Tea Productions
Format: CD5

Enjoyable 60's -influenced folk pop on new EP from UK singer-songwriter and guitarist Ian M. Bailey,. the first of a series of planned collaborations with Daniel Wylie of Cosmic Rough Riders

Review

This four track EP from Ian M. Bailey is a dreamy, summery mix of songs, which marks the first of a series of planned collaborations with Daniel Wylie of Cosmic Rough Riders which came about during lockdown. The cover art is somewhat confusing. Butterflies seem to be floating on the breeze, all except for one held in a hand. At first I think it’s being cupped gently but the more I look the less sure I am. Maybe it is a heads up that, while the four tracks presented here sound at first like a comfortable mix of jangly guitars (12 string rickenbacker included), dreamy riffs and the odd bit of Byrds-like vocals, they might just have a rougher underbelly somewhere. All the tracks: -'Take It or Leave It', 'What’s Happening Now?', 'Slow Down River' and 'Everything Will Be Alright' - sound similar enough to hang together as a coherent collection but not so much that they run into each other. They feel familiar enough as to seem unchallenging but bear out repeated listening. That 60's folk rock vibe works well, it’s relaxing and hypnotic. But still part of me ponders on the fate of that butterfly. A curious one but definitely a welcome addition to a British summer of picnics and lazy afternoons.