[9/10]
Trangressive’s latest Alt-rockers Gengahr released their debut single this week, the first since being signed to the ever developing label. The single ‘Powder’ has also been released alongside a B-side ‘Bathed in Light’. The track sees the North London four-piece experiment with a heavier undertone in comparison to their past demos like ‘Fill My Gums With Blood’, by laying down a thick and fluffy bass line and edging over fuzzy, psych guitar licks. Somehow they manage to balance the darkness out by adding the smooth and airy vocals of front man Felix Bushe, happily energizing the track.
Despite not being the lead track, ‘Bathed in Light’ is arguably the better of the two, although it does serve well as an accompaniment track. A little lighter than its A-side, it at first appears warm and light-hearted, but listen closer to the lyrics and it discloses a sardonic tone as Bushe begins the track with “Tried to be nice but it’s only out of spite/The smog in your voice makes me vomit”. However, it’s the gentle and mysterious melodies that causes almost a sultry sense and therefore hides the core feeling of the song.
With the dreaminess of LA duo Foxygen and the simple complexity of early Alt-J tracks, it’s delightfully accomplished for an official debut single. Make sure to have your ear and eye open for their TBC release date of the debut album.
