EP Review :: Warehouse Eyes - Carvings

Warehouse Eyes

Carvings

May 23 2014 (self-release)

8/10

Words: Dave Beech

Up until May, very little was known about the Minneapolis-based five-piece Warehouse Eyes other than what they wanted us to know. The extent of this knowledge fell at the feet of teaser track and their EP's inevitable lead single 'Tokyo', something which ultimately whet the public's appetite and left them clamouring for more than just a taste. Fortunately, their 'Carvings' EP works as a stepping-stone, sating said appetites and bridging the gap between single and full-length. At four tracks long it's the perfect length for an EP, and as the band's analogue synths entwine themselves around the luscious vocal melodies, building themselves up as the record progresses, any sense of mystique surrounding them breaks down, and the vocals of Jennie Lahlum soon feel familiar.

Opening with 'Tokyo' is a sensible move from the band, it establishes their sound without throwing listeners in at the deep end, whilst for those already in the know, it's a welcome return. Conversely, following track 'Lullaby' feels fittingly subdued; understated synth and bass play second string to alto vocals and emphatic percussion. A breakdown towards the end lifts the track from its moody depths, before reverting back effortlessly, whilst the simplicity of the lyricism would allow the track to lend itself brilliantly to a film score.

'Through the Glass' on the other hand, feels less filmic, instead using their preferred analogue synth sound to work in tandem with Lahlum's vocals in a manner not disimilar to Casiotone for the Painfully Alone; something which is driven home by the occasional inclusion of Christopher Williams on backing vocals.

Whilst some might argue there's a transience to such light, understated dream-pop, final track 'Give Me Light' should put any doubts to bed. Starting much like 'Through the Glass' before it, the halfway point sees the track descending in to something more akin to a warped and twisted nightmare; like the musical equivalent of that point in a dream where you realise, you ain't in Kansas anymore.

And you aren't. You never were. You were in Minneapolis, at least as far as Warehouse Eyes were concerned. With their debut EP, the band take listeners on a skewed auditory journey that's never quite as rose-tinted as their harmonies would have one believe, with each trip taken revealing yet another nuanced synth hook or understated backing vocal. If 'Tokyo' was the band testing the waters, then 'Carvings' is them up to their shoulders, we can only hope that it won't take too long before they take the final plunge and grace us with a full-length.