Golden Lion Todmorden
Sister Ray Davies
Sister Ray Davies is a brilliantly named new duo formed by Adam Morrow and Jamie Sego. They might be based in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but their acclaimed debut album Holy Island (released in November 2025 via Sonic Cathedral and Well Kept Secret) is a concept record about the ancient religious outpost off the coast of northeast England. It’s a stunning record that mixes fuzzy guitars,folk horror and fantastic melodies, inspired by the likes of Slowdive, Ride, Galaxie 500, Yo La Tengo,The Clientele and Talk Talk. Despite its lyrical inspiration lying thousands of miles away, it comes imbued with the soulfulness of their surroundings–not least because it was recorded in the old Muscle Shoals Sound studio, now Portside Sound, which is run by Jamie.The duo met when Adam played on sessions at the studio and they realised they had much in common, personally and musically. On Holy Island the story of Lindisfarne is used as a vibes-based framework for abstract ideas and emotions,as they try to make sense of our own peculiar moment in history.
“A deft, clever, enchanting debut”–Uncut
“Some of Holy Island is danceable, some is dreamy, and some is pureatmosphere”–AllMusic
“Adroitly blursa lot of intriguing boundaries”–Freq
“The krauty ‘Iona’ comes on like a long-lost Spacemen 3 outtake, especially like the shimmery fuzz of ‘Aidan’ and the delay pedal disco of‘Rowans’. Its sounds great even if you know nothing about holy islands”–Moonbuilding“
The top-notch Holy Island nods to mid-period Flying Saucer Attack, Souvlaki-era Slowdive, maximum shimmer Ride and motorik”–MOJO
“It features plenty of the guitar effects you’d expect, but these are grafted onto tracks that are edifices of squally synths, motorik and baggybeats”–Electronic Sound“
Holy Island is a rare debut. Thoughtful, melodic and full of intent without ever becoming heavy handed”–Static Sounds Club“Despite its lyrical roots lying thousands of miles away, the album pulses with the warmth and soul of their home surroundings. Fuzzy guitars meet folk-horror moods and melodic songwriting on a record that balances depth with playfulness”–Norman Records

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