Dream The Currents
Topsy, 2019
9/10
Another thriving Seattle outfit, this 3rd EP from Guest Directors is chocked full of rhythm, reverb and plenty of sonic beauty amid a shoegazey and gritty pop setting, where each track embraces nostalgic, timeless and captivating musicianship.
After the shimmering and hazy opener “Parachute On” leads with plenty of melody and swirling guitar work, '“For A Day” heads right into ‘90s influenced college rock, where intricate drumming and an intense but calculated approach quickly reel us in as lifelong fans of the quartet.
The last 3 tunes are just as enchanting, with the lengthy, nearly prog-rockish “Minor Mendings” that pokes and prods with moody and tense variations of blues and post-rock, and the punchy alt-rock of “Where You Belong”, where post-punk ideas reside and are executed flawlessly. The quick listen ends on “Twinkle, Twinkle Bete Noire” as power and melody unfold with much sophistication.
A very accomplishing outing, the tunes here all embrace dream-pop, psyche-pop and the adventurous side of indie-rock in the most mature ways, and the only real flaw to be found is that 5 tracks from Guest Directors is just not enough. An LP, please?
Travels well with: Teenage Fanclub- Bandwagonesque; Sloan- The Double Cross