Climbing trees are a four piece cymrucana band. They formed in 2011 in Pontypridd. The band is made up of Matthew Frederick (piano, guitar, vocals), Colenso Jones (guitar, bass, vocals), Martin Webb (guitar, bass, vocals) and James Bennetts (drums, percussion, vocals).
After releasing their successful debut album “Hebron” in 2013 the band went onto play the Horizons project before embarking on a 20 date summer festival tour. Since then the bands popularity has skyrocketed and they have recently released their eagerly awaited follow up “Borders”.
Stand out tracks include lead single “Tracks”, with its catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics you can see how this is a major fan favourite. It is then onto the more pop esque songs of “Lost” and “Set in stone”. It kicks into the mellow vibes of “Amber”. “Fall” is one of the more simple yet beautifully crafted songs on the album. The other single from the album “Graves” provides us with more tales from their hometown with its downbeat verses and hope filled chorus. “Heading South” is such a beautiful, smooth piano driven song. You also have the three instrumentals of “Caeser”, “Coda” and the album closer of the marching “Borders”.
Overall, this is a beautiful collection of heartfelt songs. Borders shows how since Hebron, Climbing Trees have matured as people and as a group. The lyrics take on more mature topics and the three instrumentals demonstrate the bands musical talents. Borders is truly a stunningly remarkable album.
10/10
Download Borders http://ilikeclimbingtrees.bandcamp.com/