Art Trip and the Static Sound
EP2 (Fiasco Recordings CD/EP with screen print. DL via Bandcamp)
April 8 2013
8/10
Words: Dave Beech
Described as “increasingly difficult to pin down” London-based quintet Art Trip & The Static Sound have been doing the rounds in London for little over a year and already their elcectic sound has earned them airplay from the likes of XFM's John Kennedy and 6 Music's Stuart Maconie. Mixing buzz saw guitars with vocals that exude sleaze and sex in equal measure, all under a heavy veneer of corrosive production quality.
Following 2012's 'EP1' the enigmatically named 'EP2' builds on the foundations of their début whilst honing and expanding on it. A chunky bass riff kicks things off in the form of 'Pressure' which builds throughout the intro. The optimistically named vocalist Melodie Holliday consistently drips swagger of the course of the tracks three minutes all the while the guitars form an abrasive wall of noises for the lyrics to arrogantly lean against.
The second track 'Hassle' takes no prisoners and is reminiscent of The Chinese Stars. This is where the record really picks up the pace and things get that little be sleazier. The ever-present caustic guitars are there as is Holliday's trademark drawl. The backing vocals here too are particularly effective, in that the male/female dichotomy adds an extra layer of texture to an aesthetic that's already somewhat like sandpaper. In a record that's blistering from start to finish, this is a contender for best track included and something which I can imagine would go down brilliantly live.
At a little over five minutes 'Machine Gun' is the longest song on 'EP2' and is a tenacious assault to the senses; a constant blitzkrieg of drums and bass being pushed perpetually forward by a wailing wall of sound from the guitars. The lo-fi vocal here is enough to turn some people off and is something I wouldn't normally thank you for, in this instance though it's completely in fitting with the “take no shit” attitude 'Machine Gun' purports. Final track 'Mothercare' similarly upholds a distinct hardcore mentality throughout the course of it's straight-to-the-point two minutes. It's short, and it's simple but sends 'EP2' out with an absolute bang, cementing Art Trip and the Static Sound as one of the most explosive and exciting bands on the scene at the moment.
The acidic production values across the course of the record will certainly put off quite a few people; the recorded fizzes and corrodes throughout it's fifteen minutes, but it's an aesthetic decision that's completely in keeping with the overall sound of 'EP2'. Those you can overlook that, or even get off on lo-fi vibes will find a record that really is a balls-to-the-wall riot that could strip the paint from your walls if played loud enough. You owe it to yourself to hear this record.
Art Trip & The Static Sound play the following live dates in London:
Friday 19th April – XFM - John Kennedy’s Remedy - Tooting Tram & Social
Sunday 21st April - Bull & Gate – 389 Kentish Town Rd - with Skinny Girl Diet
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