Meursault

Meursault celebrated the release of their third album, Something For The Weakened, with a launch party in The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh on Saturday 7 July. Support came from the newly formed Body Parts and Rob St John. Body Parts are a two girl, two guitar Scottish/American duo made up of Jenny Reeve (Strive The Colours) and Jill O'Sullivan. They have a sort of Civil Wars feel about them with their sultry, blues inspired vocals, and even managed to make a JLS cover sound pretty good. Rob St John, joined by Meursault's Neil Pennycook on the harmonium, performed a mesmerising set with his pitch-perfect, haunting vocal, and dawn-out ghostly songs. Despite his Lancastrian roots, he has a very celtic tone, somewhat Phantom-Band-like, and when combined with the musical saw, fiddle, synth, skittering drums, and soft guitar, he creates a mix of the most beautiful, folky, electro and evocative sounds which could silence the rowdiest of rooms.

Meursault were joined on stage by a string orchestra and kicked things off with the opening track on the album, Thumb. Pennycook's vocal sounded delicate and somewhat vulnerable when coupled with the soft, orchestral strings, and the deathly silent crowd. This fragile start was smashed into smithereens with the confident, and first single from the album, Fittin'. Pennycook's triumphant howl is prominent, and you cannot hide from his impressive vocal range. 'Lament From A Tennage Millionaire' slowed things down again, and was met with a raucous applause.

The stand out track of the night came from the unbelievable Settling. It starts off delicate and lulls you into a false sense of security as Pennycook whispers "so ha-fucking-ha". The strings then burst into action, and his vocal becomes boisterous, confidant, and builds up into an almost frenzied crescendo. The mournful waltz of Hole and the piercing Dearly Distracted really showcase Pennycook's striking voice, pinpointing each and every note with his distinctive Scottish twang poking through at times.

'What You Don't Have' from their second album All Creatures Will Make Merry sounded fresh with Meursault's newly found confidence. It was stripped back slightly, and made to sound more fitting to their new style-which was continued in the poppy and vivacious Dull Spark.

Meursault put on an outstanding performance, and Something For The Weakened is their strongest album to date. Their newly found confidence is evident, and the subtle changes in style have made a huge impact in producing a truly outstanding piece of work.