Sacred Paws are a duo, simultaneously based in both Glasgow (drummer Eilidh Rogers) and London (guitarist Rachel Aggs), simultaneously combining a light, but danceable, indie-pop sound with an uplifting edge of Highlife. And, what’s more, both members also simultaneously play their chosen instrument and sing!

The pair are much more than just multi-taskers though, and latest single ‘Strike a Match’ – with its pastel-shaded video, interspersed with exploding geometric shapes – reflects the duo’s at-once familiar, and yet progressive musical endeavours. Western musicians have been inspired by the guitar sounds of West Africa since the jazz age, of course, but this combo of alt-pop and Afrobeat is less arch than the travails of, say, Vampire Weekend; as its blending vocals spin lines that mimic the song’s guitar, drums and horns, it brings to mind indie-pop troops of the early 2000s such as Life Without Buildings and The Rogers Sisters, all the while wearing a much bigger grin. Having listened to the duo’s album – also titled Strike A Match – perhaps what’s most impressive is how fresh the guitar-drums-vox formula feels, and how capably it is applied to moments that range from sombre to high-energy.

Having emerged as former members of Golden Grrrls and, with guitarist Rachel splitting her time between Sacred Paws and two other bands, it’s hard to believe the pair have sufficient time to spare to craft the little gems found on their debut. But then, with the creativity on show here, Sacred Paws clearly have no problem handling several things at once.

Strike A Match, the debut album from Sacred Paws, is out now via Rock Action.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego