I have to thank my oldest friend and concert partner Tim for turning me on to this. Ashnymph is a London band that blends post-punk melodies with Krautrock rhythms and industrial grime. Their first EP, Childhood, Flow between dreamy vocals buried in layers of echo and the pounding sound of a four-way dancefloor. This is an exciting debut from a band that feels like it’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough.
Childhood Opens with an ambient recording of someone walking down the hall (I think), and starts off fine with some swirling synth noise motorik beat and bass throb before the first song, “Island in the Sky”. The thin, digitally manipulated vocals and robotic grooves are punctuated with bursts of noise, but the chorus’s big strings are reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “Whatever Happened to My Rock and Roll”.
The band’s debut single “Saltspreader” is next. It launches with a dark metallic grind, scattered with tinkling percussion and drum hits, before a soft synth arpeggio brings some music to the party. The latter half features deep choruses that reflect 80s goth, driving guitars and disco stomp. Despite its slow build, it is clear why the band chose it as their first single. It’s dark, dancey, and an absolute ear-pleasure.
“After Glow” leans even more on ’80s fetishism, recalling Depeche Mode and early Ministry, before Al Jourgensen discovered the guitar. “47” matches industrial beats with chipmunk vocals and off-kilter guitars in the vein of no wave acts like Swans. But switching to a half-time groove at the last minute strips away more abrasive layers, allowing the beauty of the guitar melodies to shine while ethereal vocals float on top.
The final track, “Mr. Invisible”, is possibly the group’s most experimental. It is more obviously electronic than the rest, relying on heavily manipulated samples, indecipherable vocals and a constant bass thump for the first part. Ultimately, clear vocal melodies and circular guitar lines play off polyrhythmic synths. The whole thing is confusing, dizzying, and exhilarating. It ends somewhat abruptly on a disjointed guitar groove and an echoing vocal, leaving me wanting more. And many more.
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