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10 for 2014: #3 – The Orielles

It seems the theme of my entries in the 10 for 2014 final list revolve around youth; in at #3 on the list are The Orielles, never heard of them? Probably since as of late November, they changed their name from The Oreoh!s – perhaps to avoid confusion with that delectable twisty chocolate biscuit. They are biscuits, right? None of that Jaffa Cake-esque WHAT ARE YOU IDENTITY CRISES?

Enough on a name though, as it’s inconsequential to the bountiful surf-pop bliss that the Orielles have brought forth. And no I don’t mean The Drums, mark 2. Neither are they The Beach Boys reincarnate. We’ve got diminutive sisters Esme and Sid Hand-Halford on bass and drums, respectively, and Henry Wade on guitar. They’re no older than 17, and yet they’ve already had audiences questioning how they got in without ID. It’s also testament to their talent, even at this young age, that they’re being applauded like crazy at festivals like when we discovered them at Liverpool Sound City this year performing at midnight and supporting bands like TGTF favourites The Crookes and The Lovely Eggs.

At such a young age, I was still coming out of my dad-rock phase, where I just listened to whatever my old man had on the car speakers; I’m talking Jamiroquai, Queen and Led Zep, so hardly a bad choice. But The Orielles are showing a maturity of their own and the big wide world has recognised this growing talent, already garnering spins on none other than Steve Lamacq’s show on BBC 6Music.

Barely 17! I mean, Christ, the maturity they are showing with just their instruments is phenomenal: Kaye’s guitar solo on ‘Deduce’ is mystifying, and the songwriting speaks volumes. I mean, how bloody good are these kids going to be when they hit their A-Levels? The introduction to ‘Midnight in Paris’ is testament to their talents, transporting you via accordion to a starry night on the Champs-Élysées, with a twinkling xylophone and majestic harmonies. It’s spectacular.

We told ya first, guys, The Orielles. They’re something special.