Fossil Collective - Let It Go EP (2012)

Originally a duo, the Leeds, England–based Fossil Collective fleshed out their ensemble to a quintet before recording the 2012 EP Let It Go. The fetching title track immediately reveals Midlake and The Fleet Foxes as influences, especially when boyish vocal harmonies start working their magic. “Satellite” incorporates French-flavored melodica and higher-register singing, invoking images of Thom Yorke gone hippie folk. The stomping rhythm brings out a luster in the song’s groove as boot heels, tambourines, and handclaps add to the organic-sounding collage of earthy tones. “Guaratuba” lilts and bobs like a leaf floating down a river, as heavily reverberated vocals mix with buoyant acoustic fingerpicking and what sounds like backward percussion and keyboard leads. Close harmonies and a sleepy slide guitar help Fossil Collective import some sun-flared California canyon rock to the outstanding “Without a Fight.” At five minutes and 12 seconds, the semi-psychedelic “Everything but You Was Facing North” closes out the EP with lush warmth.