Sarah Records legends return with updated versions of their classic tunes plus a couple of new ones. With three original members, The Sweetest Ache make the tail-end of 2026 palatable with Reframed. It's then the perfect sort of contemplative indie to soundtrack autumn and the start of winter.
Original members Simon Court (vocals), Peter Stone (guitar), Stuart Vincent (guitar) are joined by David Jones (bass) and The Sweetest Ache sound is back. Tracks like "Tell Me How It Feels" are gentle, the template still for stuff like The Clientele years later, while "Briaris" is quietly resilient. The members have wonderful harmonies on a classic like this, and the tune sort of reveals new things so many years later in this remade version. "Everlasting" charms thanks to guitars from Stone and Vincent, and it is, like the other classic Sarah Records numbers here, still good in whatever form you find it. Of the new cuts, "Speak to Me" is an instant classic. Peter Stone's daughter Poppy joins in on vocals and the tune has a sunny, nearly-rollicking vibe that makes it absolutely endearing. I want a whole album of stuff like this, frankly, and not remakes.
As a rule, I hate when bands re-record their classic songs. It's almost invariably a sign of absolute desperation, and, for bigger acts, a cash-grab. That said, these tunes are admittedly lovely, and I suppose that there are lots of younger folk out there who maybe didn't hear the originals. So, Reframed by The Sweetest Ache is recommended provided that a listener/purchaser at least goes out and finds the original verisons on Sarah Records too.
Reframed by The Sweetest Ache is out now. Here in the US, it's out via Shelflife Records.
[Photo: The Sweetest Ache]