One live session on BBC radio's 'Raw Talent' show and a mass of people are simply in love with these Leeds-based masters of melody and taut lyrics. Fronted by the incredibly versatile singing sensation Anna Elias, who articulates the emotion in their songs' lyrics so convincingly, Bodixa follow-up their well-received 'Give Me Rain' single with these 2 tracks, led by 'Sapphire.'
'I've heard the day cry' pours Anna, the perfect pop-rock sound of this young 5-piece set to melt hearts in the exhilarating way that Texas did in their heyday, though there are moments when Bodixa can also be likened to female-fronted and chart-friendly rock bands such as Speedway, No Doubt and Garbage. Anna even manages to remind of Tori Amos too, though Bodixa seem to be perpetually nothing if not mellow. Their guitars never screech, and are subsequently heard to be at their subtlest yet in their 'Bathroom Window,' that hauntingly sulks to itself with an equally as tender backbeat and flamenco guitar feel of wistfulness. There's even something about this reflective ballad - that's totally and utterly dominated by Anna's extraordinarily gifted vocal chords - that sounds so personal, you get the feeling you shouldn't really be listening.
Good thing then that Bodixa's muse and music is just as therapeutic for the listener as it sounds to be for Anna and Bodixa. 4/5 (STEVE RUDD)
www.bodixa.co.uk