Alex Hepburn - Together Alone (2013/2016) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/96kHz]

Riding on the crest of the girl band wave following the colossal success of the Spice Girls, four-piece Hepburn are one of the few acts to pursue a more rock-led direction. Unlike the short-lived Thunderbugs and 21st Century Girls, they have avoided the dumper long enough to actually release an album. Their self-titled debut might be a little too lightweight to convert the cynical NME audience, but it's far more substantial than what most of their contemporaries have to offer. The joyous lead single "I Quit, is perhaps one of the best debut girl band singles of the '90s. Originally written for Natalie Imbruglia, its melodic acoustic verses and feisty chorus embodies Girl Power at its rock-pop finest and deservedly gave them a Top Ten hit. With its radio-friendly sheen, it's easy to see why they've been compared to power pop girl bands like the Bangles, but the rest of the album reveals their influences reach much more into alternative territory. The opening guitar riff of "Bugs" apes Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," the crunching lo-fi sound of "Deep Deep Down" echoes early Garbage, while "I Can't Cry" could have been lifted from any Brit-pop album. Indeed, the band seem far more comfortable when their amps are turned up than when they attempt pure pop. The bubblegum chorus of "My Old Love" seems to have wandered in from a B*Witched record while the jangly "Here Comes Napoleon" verges on twee. And while Jamie Benson's unusual voice is certainly distinctive enough to give the band an identity, her strong Cockney accent and childlike tones often jar with the more guitar-heavy tracks. But overall, the issue of whether they're manufactured or not is pretty irrelevant. They're far more convincing than a lot of indie bands and are a refreshing alternative for anyone wanting their girl bands with a bit more edge.