A tortured start, ‘Golden Age’ has a gilded, fragile guitar-led edge to it. It is dominated by singer J.P Riggall’s laid-back vocals and lyrics that say so much with so little—flowing sonic landscape rolls like a sea mist slowly developing into a raging storm of white-tipped cymbals and picked strings. This album is about vast, atmospheric indie, and it sounds refreshing after a bust, fast-paced day.
Alternate indie is the particular brand of this band, but it’s not cut and dry. The music jangles in places like electro-pop, the guitars giving the tracks bite, while the emotive undercurrent, which Riggall’s compositions often feature, is a strong selling point. Tracks like ‘The Blue’ with its strained choruses and spiky post-punk guitar lead work.
Shimmering intros, along with sublime guitar work, are something this album is packed full of. Tracks ‘Through The Fog’ and ‘New Occupation’ breathe with minimalistic shoegaze. The latter sees the album get into its stride with the splendid outro of rolling guitars, a well-picked track for a single from the album.
‘Just a Ghost’ is one of this album’s peaks, starting the B side for those listening to the vinyl version. There’s a more vibrant energy to this track a step up from the tracks on the A side. A punchier rhythm section dominates more so than the trademark lead guitar work. An awakening has happened, bringing in a more livelier second half.
Riggall’s vocals hit the spot on ‘Electrolung’ with a flowing lead line and sparse tremolo effects in the background. It’s a gorgeous track full of space yet heavy with emotion and an electric heart. It fits in the album’s second half, which features a more lively selection of tracks. As one track dies off the next picks up the ball of emotion and runs with it. As the next track, the epic ‘Lost At Sea’ does so well, dropping some jangly joy.
Another album highlight is the astonishing ‘The Swimmer’. Musically, it’s catchy, melodic and energetic at a counterpoint to the slower sung lyrics. The drums trying to spur things on, but the music is in no rush, and the sonic wave of guitars washes over the listener on the chorus. ‘For The Dark Is Beautiful’ surges up behind, and although more gritty in approach, there’s a euphoric feel that brings the album to a close perfectly. Splendid Beast is indeed splendid and one that will leave you smiling.
There is a quiet settling to this album, which, in the majority, soothes the audience whilst letting the angrier, slightly more upbeat moments shine and invigorate rather than carry you away. Most of the tracks have a restrained feeling, not quite letting go that the live versions benefit from. But the album is not about that. It’s meant to be listened to with no distracting stage trappings.
With vast open spaces and dreamy landscapes, the songwriting is ambitious in places, yet the band are perfectly positioned to be ambitious with the talent on display here. The tracks say so much with so little. The guitars, in particular, are a joy to listen to as they weave in and out, building up emotions and atmospheres to a point where you don’t know what comes next: an overspill or a dying end.
Check out the track ‘Electrolung’ below:
Purchase the album here
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