By Edward Clark
The Army, The Navy shine brilliantly live. In the cozy Colours Hoxton, the American two-piece showcased their unique style, which centres the detailed vocal harmonies of singers Sasha Goldberg and Maia Ciambriello. After growing in popularity last year, with the release of projects Fruit for Flies and Sugar for Bugs, the pair cemented themselves onstage as effortlessly talented performers, the audience in the palm of their hands.
The Army, The Navy’s Spotify Bio credits the pair’s ‘consonance’ to their being ‘childhood friends who shared a singing coach’. Live, this consonance was apparent from the moment they stepped onstage. Opening song Gentle Hellraiser – the namesake of the tour itself, of which the London date was the final gig – displayed the pair’s easy harmony. Mics were turned up to amplify Goldberg and Ciambriello’s gentle vocals. Although soft, the pair had absolute control of the room. Vocal lines were not the only thing working in tandem: both lead singers underscored themselves with detailed fingerpicking patterns played alongside one another. The pair excelled in these moments of quiet control. Songs where emphasis was placed on vocal harmony, such as Bookend and Persimmon, were exceptional.
These moments, alongside almost every number in the setlist, were supported by multi-instrumentalist Jess Kallen. Kallen’s addition provided the necessary range which The Army, The Navy’s catalogue demands. Shifting seamlessly from delicate keyboard accompaniment to heavy slide-guitar and shoegazey drone, their accompaniment elevated the live performance throughout. These heavier moments did sometimes drown out Ciambriello and Goldberg’s vocal nuance, an issue more apparent with their performance of unreleased material, where lyrics and melodies were lost. Nonetheless, heavier moments were well paced in the setlist, providing moments of reprieve which kept delicate harmonies fresh and exciting. Akin to their albums, The Army, The Navy had a clear vision for the flow of their performance, balancing subdued tracks with energetic ones and maintaining energy in the room. As the set began with captivating, quieter songs, it ended with the upbeat and dynamic Wild Again, leaving the audience wanting more.
With such a concise catalogue, I walked into Colours wondering whether Goldberg and Ciambriello actually had enough music to properly fill a setlist. I once saw a newly-popular artist play at a festival where they were forced to play all of their released songs twice, and hoped the case would not be the same here. By the third song, I realised I had nothing to worry about. Hits from their two LP’s were supported by unreleased material and personable audience interaction. Fan-favourite 40% smoothly transitioned into an acutely unique cover of Destiny’s Child’s Say My Name, 40%’s catchy hook ‘Say my name, say it again’ transforming into the R&B pop banger; the result was endearing. ‘Tricked ya’’, Goldberg joked. Whether the ‘trick’ was the surprise cover itself, or a clever way to avoid having to deal with the heavy breakdown of the song’s final moments, it nonetheless entertained. Sugar for Bugs cut Rascal was transformed into an anthemic moment, as Goldberg directed the audience to sing along with the repeated vocal riffs. The pit’s quiet admiration of the pair’s harmonies seamlessly shifted into audience involvement. Goldberg and Ciambriello’s musicianship was elevated through performance.
Goldberg and Ciambriello’s performance thrives on their chemistry. As human touch in music is no longer guaranteed – the use of Artificial Intelligence in production and vocal ‘cloning’ has received endless discussion online over the past two years – The Army, The Navy offer an enchanting, human response. Moments of light choreography, laughter and connection between Ciambriello and Goldberg placed the two singers’ chemistry and consonance at centre-stage. During one unreleased song, sung a cappella with the two singers in complete unison, you could hear a pin drop in the audience. As the two friends celebrated the final moments of their sold-out first headline tour, I could only wonder as to when they will return to Europe, and doubted that it would be in a venue this intimate again. The Army, The Navy is one to watch.