Desert Hearts |
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‘Gravitas’ the opening track of this single from the Desert Hearts is a weird one, but only because it’s surprisingly subtle. I actually expected something much punchier and ravaging from this Belfast trio, but in reality the harder path leads to greater fulfillment in this case.
With a solid bass-line and a punching bass drum, the track marches steadily onwards, but with a careful glare. The shimmering guitar riffs at times are reflective of early U2 or even classic Yo La Tengo when they weren’t drowning in feedback, leaving plenty of room for an emotive vocal. Eventually a couple of gear changes shift the pace, creating something much more chaotic and energetic. It’s the right idea too, but the execution of that first tempo change feels a tad clunky still.
B-side ‘Hammer & Frogs’ is a droning indie-rock stomp. It’s not particularly aggressive or pumping, but the pace is steady, the chords are melodic, and the lyrics are effective enough to loop in your head.
Rather than being two instant single-type tracks that grab your attention, you can really sense that these songs have much more to offer in the long term. Stick them onto a mixtape and enjoy the surprise each time they come around.
Steven McCarron
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