The Gentle Spring

The Gentle Spring, an indie pop act formed around Michael Hiscock of The Field Mice, plays at The Castle Hotel in Manchester, presenting its second album, Northernhay.

The Gentle Spring is a project of Michael Hiscock, co-founder of The Field Mice, together with Émilie Guillaumot and Jérémie Orsel. Northernhay is their second album, following the debut Looking Back At The World, and it is released on the Skep Wax label. The songs carry the melodic writing and catchiness associated with The Field Mice, and they address love, wistfulness and community life.

Compared with the debut, the new record is more upbeat. Shimmering acoustic guitars and a sinuous bass remain, but drums and percussion now accompany the vocals of Michael Hiscock and Émilie Guillaumot. Some pieces recall early Microdisney, others The Pet Shop Boys, with plainly delivered, emotive singing over a persistent rhythm. The title refers to a winding street in the Croydon suburbs where Michael Hiscock grew up, leading towards a wild area close to the city where the streetlights do not reach.

The concert takes place at The Castle Hotel, a Manchester venue that hosts concerts and shows. The material behind the album suggests the songs suit both dancing and quiet, absorbed listening, depending on where the listener stands.