After the breakup of Mazzy Star, vocalist Hope Sandoval joined with Colm O'Ciosoig (formerly of My Bloody Valentine) to form Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions. The project retained the laid-back, slowcore sound of Mazzy Star, and much like Mazzy Star, featured Sandoval's sensuous, hypnotic voice. However, it replaced the psychedelic leanings that Mazzy Star was known for with spare, subtle arrangements that reinforced Sandoval's gentle vocal style.

In 2000, Sandoval issued her first EP with the Warm Inventions, At the Doorway Again, and followed it up with her critically acclaimed debut full-length, Bavarian Fruit Bread, a year later.

Eight years passed until Sandoval released a second album, Through The Devil Softly, however, during the build up to the album’s release neither Hope or Colm have been creatively idle. Hope has collaborated with Devendra Banhart, Air, Bert Jansch, Death In Vegas and Massive Attack and there is also talk of a new Mazzy Star album on the horizon. Meanwhile 2009 saw the reunion of My Bloody Valentine for a select group of live shows.

Rife with lush sonics and textures, Through The Devil Softly is a deliberate body of work that gently solicits your patience, and like the cover photograph, its creators reveal very little so that the art can reveal so much. The mystery is magnetic.

Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions will be performing live at Manchester Club Academy on Sunday 23rd May.