Stealing Sheep

Into the Diamond Sun, Heavenly ****

Here's a freak-folk scene worth signing up for. From Liverpool, Stealing Sheep are a trio with wild imaginations, darling voices, kooky instrumentation, spooky harmonies, off-kilter hooks and songs that really want to get medieval on your ass. When Becky Hawley, Emily Lansley and Lucy Mercer tackle a tune such as Shut Eye, you're fairly sure of your moorings as there are folky leylines to keep it all in check. But catch a blast of Rearrange, White Lies and Tangled Up In Stars, and it's clear you're dealing with mischievous, hyperactive minds happy to throw you for six with a haughty bassline here or an incandescent melody there. There are occasional moments when you wonder if they really know where they're going with all of this maverick highstepping, but then the trio's harmonies sweep in for the kill and you're smitten all over again. stealingsheep.co.uk

Download tracks: White Lies, Rearrange, Shut Eye