CD reviews: Grawlixes

Adding further shades of blue to the depths of New Zealand's pool of current folky types, Wellington act Grawlixes' debut album Set Free might roam through melancholic minor keys, yet it also offers a bright, breezy outlook.

Take the transition from the spare titular opener to Good Shadow, on which violin, earthy accordion and chiming acoustic 12-string offer a platform for soaring vocal harmonies courtesy of co-founders Robin Cederman (guitar) and Penelope Esplin (accordion).

There's a Dunedin lineage, too (The Prophet Hens, Sunley Band and Tahu and the Takahes) and, in fact, this album was recorded in York Pl. File under warm and intelligent.

For those who like: The Go Betweens, Lawrence Arabia