Kevin Robertson - Magic Spells Abound (2023)

I am not quite certain how I happened upon Aberdeen's Kevin Robertson (of The Vapour Trails), although it was probably via the finely tuned ears and subsequent recommendation of Indie Lounge DJ, Beth Dobson, who is from similar parts.

We became cyber-mates courtesy of a love of music, football (the proper one, not the forward rugby one that Americans play in health and safety gear), and a similar outlook on life, as I wormed myself in to add the ramshackle, seat of our pants enthusiasm of the Subjangle label to the more considered and infinitely cooler Futureman Records label of Detroit, to co-release his last three albums.

One thing that is undeniably decidedly dissimilar about us, is talent. Whilst I have none, Kev seems to find melodies, jangled riffs and harmonies just around the corner of every sixties and power-pop musical thought he has ever conceived.

He augments these with a self taught style that is the perfect fit for these beautifully appropriate home recordings that are given lovely production by Nick Bertling and finishing touches from a whole host of musical friends who have appeared on his releases over the years.

Humble to a fault, Kev is never one to even consider the possibility that he might actually be very good, so let Futureman and Subjangle convince you of this with this Magic Spells Abound album that is probably his finest release yet.

Darrin Lee (Subjangle founder / JanglePopHub editor)