Rose Elinor Dougall - New Waves @ Breaking More Waves

There are some things where the parts are very much equal, but everyone has to have a favourite. For example, the bobble ones in Liquorice Allsorts always get my vote. In bands it’s always been John in The Beatles and Baby Spice of the Spice Girls for me. And likewise everyone had a favourite Pipette; Was it tarty welsh blonde Gwenno? Nerdy looking but fun Riot Becki? Or the slightly sultry raven haired Rosay? It was a close call between Becki and Rosay for me, but with Rosay just winning by a short head due to some of her witty onstage put downs. It therefore came as a great disappointment for me earlier this year when I heard that Becki and Rosay were both leaving the band to be replaced by two new members, and that musically they were to jump from their very retro polka dotted 60’s shimmering pop to a much more 80’s influence. It was like getting rid of your favourite Revel from the pack.

However I am now delighted to say that Rosay is back. Throwing off her pop shackles she is about to release her own debut solo single. Another Version of Pop Song is a limited edition 500 copies only 7” single and download, released under her real name Rose Elinor Dougal, and a fine lightly lilting pop song it is. Apart from a few starting handclaps, the song is far removed from The Pipettes output, reminding me instead of the sadly much forgotten Sundays with a touch of added Casio. Not as obviously commercial as The Pipettes it displays a dreamy maturity and depth way beyond The Pipettes that bodes well for future releases. Her My Space page references Broadcast, The Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Bjork, Stereolab and Portishead as influences. If Rose can match up to anywhere near these acts, forthcoming releases should be something to be cherished.