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ARTIST: The Baltic
RELEASE: Archipelago
RELEASE DATE: 20/06/16
RECORD COMPANY: Misra Records
Colorado based psychedelically charged four piece ‘The Baltic’ released their latest EP entitled ‘Archipelago’ to the masses back on the 20th June 2016 via Misra Records (under Sub Pop’s umbrella). Their sound expertly shimmies through experimental reverberating tones, laced with dream pop swirls, psychedelic sonic highs & melodious guitar progressions that seem to hang suspended within a blissfully ethereal musical bubble. The band are made up of Graham Epstein – drums/vocals, Adam Dankowski – guitars, Josh Kaplan – bass & Ari Kononov – guitars.
‘Archipelago’ is available to buy/download right now from: thebaltic.bandcamp.com/album/archipelago
READ ON –
Luscious ethereal tones float into earshot as the opening salvo’s of the ‘Archipelago’ EP are unfurled. Opening track ‘Turquoise’ permeates through an acid blotted landscape with its 60’s psychedelic edge as the hazy vocals are carefully added to the musical ether, accompanied by throbbing bass frequencies & a skittish percussive pattern. (As a side note; a musical doff of the cap has to go to the ‘Beatles’ on this opening track, as the verse progressions (which drag up way too many of their song titles to name off hand) are curiously reminiscent to the aforementioned band & although that may seem like a good comparison to some, for me, it kinda takes the shine off of those brilliantly executed shoegaze inspired chorus parts that make this opening track a tale of two halves as far as I’m concerned!) Up next, ‘Bloom’ breathes a more psych rock tinge to proceedings. It’s jam packed with experimental psychedelic twirls, faultless instrumentation and those vocalisations are stacked with melody.
‘San Francisco’ pulses beautifully arranged reverb drenched guitar lines, steadying drum patterns and addictively harmonious bass progressions with another impressive vocal performance that collectively produces what is the most dream pop orientated track on this entire release! Gone are the sonic experimentations & the 60’s revivalist tones, and whats left is a beautifully arranged track that is wholeheartedly relevant in todays revived dreampop/shoegaze scene.
The EP’s penultimate track entitled ‘Fortitude’ screams into the ether on a wave of glorious frequency laden noise as ‘The Baltic’ bring their shoegaze tendencies to bare for all to hear. It’s opening bars are layered with fuzzy reverberating guitars, throbbing baselines, shimmering tambourines and melodious vocals, reminiscent to those early UK based shoegaze stalwart’s ‘Ride’. It took a while but ‘The Baltic’ are finally allowing us to hear their gauzy side. This is my favourite track on the whole release and a solid recommendation from me. The albums closing piece is called ’72 Hours’. Shimmering tremulous guitar lines float into earshot and gracefully sweep you up, bringing you with them on a stunning hallucinogenic psych-gaze trip that expertly loops and arc’s through blissful layers of beautifully golden sonic frequencies, carefully following the throb of the infectious bass progressions & the hypnotic percussion as you meander through the musical ether. A fitting explosive ending to a slow burning but thoroughly enjoyable EP.
4/5
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular experimental Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the unsigned or small independent label based shoegaze, ethereal dream pop, post punk, post rock & modern psych rock from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.
