Seesaw |
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Dark clouds are closing in rapidly. The first splatters of rain run down the window. You’re sitting there with your head in your hands looking on, and there is a lingering depression sitting inside your stomach, but you know it will break eventually. Something is coming to alter everything, but you know you just have to ride out the storm before the mood will lighten and you can face the solution. Welcome to a dark place. Welcome to the world of Seesaw.
No need to be afraid though, as Seesaw are not a bad thing to invite into your life. As it happens, Violent Elegance may be one of the most exciting releases of the year from a Dutch artist, so this 5-piece are definitely doing something right.
The best track on the album, without doubt, is the title track, ‘Violent Elegance’. The guitars build slowly, creating a rising tension, whilst the bass is competing against them at the back of the storm. Then the vocals of Asta enter, sitting peacefully on top, remaining calm despite the racket. She does carry a very morose tone in her voice, yet she is the rational voice speaking above the swaying chaos, never requiring screaming as an outlet. The mood is so heavy and strong that it does leave you wondering how you will survive an album full of this but it’s really not a problem when the music is so interesting.
Each track has its own strengths and emotions, and even though the feedback driven dirge of ‘Dramaqueen’ is certainly heavy going, the light at the end of the tunnel is ‘This Is What Happened’ - a much brighter and an upbeat rock-out moment. Elsewhere, the melodies float around effortlessly between dark and light, creating constantly interesting indie pop of very high quality. So forget about the Breeders and Lush, two of the bands Seesaw are frequently compared to. Those bands are history and never meant as much to me as this album already does. Also forget about Seesaw being Dutch because Violent Elegance is deserving of praise on a much larger scale.
Steven McCarron
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