Short, to the point, and swimming in reverb, the Phantom Kicks’ first EP concisely demonstrates the promises of their sound. Fusing electronic concepts with the looped and layered melodic tendencies of post-rock, the Phantom Kicks have created a soothing and fascinatingly intricate soundscape.
“Cut From a Different Clay” opens the album with a hypnotic driving high-octave guitar melody – a feature of each song on the album – supported by an unobtrusive electronic drum track and omnipresent synthetic bass tone. As the layers of the song build it’s almost two minutes before any vocals are heard. Distant and charming, it’s as if the singer is calling from another plane, perhaps the one the music is building towards. Crescendoing and abruptly ending this ascension, the song makes an abrupt change to a brief and more abrasive rock sound, before dwindling out in delicate vocal harmonies.
Rapidly building back out of the brief lull, “Eyes Familiar” bursts open with a second wind of energy. Powerful syncopated guitar strikes bolster the melody lines as the song takes a sharp turn dragging the listener on its ride. As with the song before, and the one after, the Phantom Kicks’ music is defined by its dynamic richness. Tempos and environments change rapidly and there is a rich texture to each of the song’s compositions.
Lyrically the songs on this EP live in a space of blissful innocence with amenable differences, late nights transforming into tender mornings and peaceful inquiries into another’s patience become song topics. Juxtaposed against the complexities of the music, this functions as a welcome foil. The vocals serve as an additional instrumental layer instead of a competing distraction, and with such awe-inspiring harmonies their function is well served.
“Coming Home” closes out the EP building yet another hypnotic set of melodies. For a song built around the patience of waiting for someone’s return, it is fitting that with a little patience comes the most stunning portion of the album. The song reaches its peak and with a temperate reverence; a beautiful set of harmonies float the ears out of the album.
All in all as debuts go, Phantom Kicks’ EP illustrates a great amount potential. It ebbs and flows in intricate and captivating motions that maintain attention throughout. It will be interesting to see how they develop their electronic-infused muted post-rock sound in what I’m sure will be a successful full-length release.
–Ada Lann