The debut album by the new collaboration of Mama Kin and Spender is decent without being great, and provides an enjoyable listen without jumping out and grabbing you. It’s a folk album at its core, with all sorts of other elements thrown in when needed. Pop sections, heavier sections, light sections; Golden Magnetic moves from mood to mood to tell its story over a very short run time of just over half an hour.
‘Air Between Us’ is a highlight of the album. An unabashed happy song with soaring choruses that’ll have you singing along and leave you feeling upbeat whether you like it or not. The second half of the album is the stronger half by far. Tracks like ‘Dotted Line’ and ‘Bird In Your Tree’ are some of the heavier songs, with undertones of Louisiana blues making them stand out.
Golden Magnetic comes across as a bit unsure of itself and changes drastically in tone from track to track, but when it gets things right, it gets things very right. The potential is definitely there for something great from this partnership, and while this album may not be that great thing yet, it’s a step on the right path.
6.5/10
