And So I Watch You From Afar
The Endless Shimmering
Northern Ireland’s masters of instrumental rock return with new album The Endless Shimmering and it’s a satisfying continuation from the bands last album, 2015’s Heirs and sees their style of music reaching places that it has only hinted at in the past.
The album is certainly aptly titled with the shimmering nature of the bands guitars going head to head with the rhythmic groove that switches between gentle and harder hitting and this results in an even more focused album from the Belfast four piece.
The jagged guitars and pounding drums that kick off the bands opening song Three Triangles is an indication of what to expect from the album but there are plenty of twists and turns throughout the album and this captivating opening salvo gets things off to a great start. A Slow Unfolding Of Wings is the percussion led track that follows and the track is, again, true to its title with the bands music sounding as if it’s unraveling as it plays, gripping you and finally reaching a soaring crescendo at its end.
Terrors Of Pleasure is a more angular and gritty affair with some cracking drumming throughout while the mammoth Dying Giants is a song that both complex and powerful with the songs conclusion achingly beautiful complete with a stirring use of strings that ends it perfectly, on a sorrow note for sure but it fits in with the songs dynamic extremely well.
All I Need Is Space is more of an upbeat track after the more mournful ending which preceded and this sense of a more uplifting nature feels necessary. The song still has a power to it though and drives the album along nicely. The albums title track is a laid back affair that fits in nicely as is the summery nature of the intro following track Mullaly, before the track explodes into a life with a focused vivacity.
The Endless Shimmering is rounded off by the vast glory of I’ll Share A Life before closing track ends the album in a triumphant fashion with its driving beat and flourishing shimmering guitar work and concludes what has been an engaging and thoughtful listen that will captivate listeners again and again.
With this album, And So I Watch You From Afar have proved again that their style of instrumental music is both well played and well executed and is another welcome addition to their catalogue of thoughtful and rousing music.
The Endless Shimmering will be available everywhere on LP, CD and download on October 20th, 2017 via Sargent House.
iTunes Pre-order: http://smarturl.it/ASIWYFA-AM / CD/LP Pre-order: http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com
Words: Gavin Brown
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