The tracks “New Pine Overcoat” and “Angel” are two emotively rich highlights from Hovercraft’s newly surfaced recordings, digitized from original mid-1990s demos recorded in their base of Grimsby, UK. Warm, folk-rooted guitar tones, heartfelt lyricism, and aching melodies converge with a sense of rediscovery, with the band using AI vocals to replace their missing singer’s voice.

“New Pine Overcoat” opens with warm, tender guitars — twanging with free-spirited allure, as the “when we hit the road” dreamy vocal intoxication hits thereafter. “We’ll be on our way,” they let out, delighting with a tone fondly reminiscent of Mazzy Star. “Baby understand that the promised land is just a mile away,” the vocals continue to envelop amidst a sturdy bass backing and jangling guitar work, cathartic in its “but it’s a new day” and “there’s a life around the corner” optimism for brighter outlooks ahead. Psych-friendly guitar tones and “na-na” vocal harmonies align beautifully as well, with the grim “if you kill yourself / please send me a note” concluding verses putting an emotively gripping cap on it all.

Another success, “Angel” emits a more smitten sentiment initially, traversing with heartbreak-laden introspection — as one drifts away and prompts the vocals to ask: “Why’d you have to do it Angel? Why’d you have to go now Angel?” The lush piano-laden backing expands gradually into a Christmas-friendly rhythmic backing and chamber-pop ardor, as the defiant vocals and their “doesn’t matter what they say” passion shows a willingness to continue a sense of adoration, though strutting a personal confidence as well in declaring “I wouldn’t die for you.” Both these tracks are quality displays of songwriting and heartfelt emotion from Hovercraft.

Stream both tracks:

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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

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