25 years ago on this date (3rd June 1991) Slowdive released their third EP on Creation and today also happens to see the release of Minor Victories debut album. Coincidence? Probably….
Holding Our Breath is undoubtably Slowdive’s best EP featuring some of their best pre-Souvlaki recordings including Catch The Breeze, Shine and their cover of Syd Barrett’s Golden Hair which I personally think far eclipses the original. Those tracks feature the beautiful voice of Rachel Goswell and all these years later not only is Rachel recording with Slowdive but she’s released an album by her other new group Minor Victories.
Minor Victories self titled album will without doubt be included in many end of year lists, within the 10 tracks are some of the best tunes of the year so far. Apart from the reunion shows this is the first time we’ve heard Rachel singing lead vocals over a sonic backdrop as opposed to the more acoustic based Mojave 3 and solo work. Alongside Rachel’s vocal is Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai’s fantastic guitar playing which melts seamlessly with her voice over the sweeping strings and thundering drums. The album has a wonderful cinematic feel to it.
For You Always features Sun Kill Moon/Red House Painters vocalist Mark Kozelek and makes a great interval with it’s stripped back music and a different style of vocals, a clever mention of Mojave 3 also gives the track a great thumbs up from me.
Overall the slow burning ambient tracks are the ones I can’t get enough of…. Folk Arp, Breaking My Light, Out To Sea and Higher Hopes would satisfy any Slowdive fan. Of course there’s no competition but when Slowdive release their long awaited forth long-player it’s going to need to be bloody good to avoid disappointing everyone after this album…..
Order the Minor Victories album here
To celebrate this momentous occasion below you’ll find a playlist covering Rachel’s releases over the past 26 years including collaborations with the likes of Chapterhouse, Editors and Sun Kill Moon alongside Slowdive, Mojave 3 and solo material.
Watch Shine from the Holding Our Breath EP below
Watch Breaking My Light from Minor Victories below
Watch Slowdive playing Catch The Breeze live in 1991
Watch Folk Arp from Minor Victories below