2011 has been a great year for EP's already; the latest is by Psychologist who was until last week a complete unknown (to me). Entitled 'Waves of OK' and released via Not Even on digital and 12" etched Vinyl it's the first of two parts (the second in due in May).
'Waves of OK' is a majestic affair, containing five chucks of minimalist ambient electro-haze / piano led fragile ballads, the sort which propelled Perfume Genius to the top of many best of lists in 2010 and got James Blake in the BBC Sound of 2011 shortlist.
The centre-piece is the stunning "Comes in Waves", a delicate piano track which sees the Mike Hadreas similarities reoccur due to the aching, yearning melodies. Though, despite the heavyweight emotional honesty in the lyrics it never comes across as anything other than a truly beautiful piece of art which at times is quite uplifting, especially when the song expands over the latter half with celestial, sprawling layered vocal chants. "Comes in Waves" is a spine-tingling masterpiece and easily one of the best things you'll hear this year.
With an almost hymnal quality that will transfix you for its entire playtime it is no surprise to find that the EP was recorded in a church, never is that more apparent than on a cappella gospel closure "Song to the Siren", which to hone in on the church reference, is simply divine.
There is a little too much ambient weirdness going on in the opening track for my liking but the aforementioned tracks along with the subtle, eeriness of "Look After" is certainly making me look forward to that second EP.
Psychologist - Comes in Waves
Psychologist - Song to the Siren
Watch the rather unique (read strange) video below:
Comes In Waves from psychologist on Vimeo.
No comments:
Post a Comment