EP Review :: Jubilee Courts - Go From The Blue Light In To The Moonlight

Jubilee Courts

Go From the Blue Light in to the Moonlight

August 8 2014 (Stalkers Records)

7.5/10

Words: Dave Beech

Back in December when we reviewed the debut single (and its respective B-side) from Northhampton's Jubilee Courts, whilst both tracks differed from each other aesthetically, what they did do was make it clear the band aren't one to linger too long on any one genre; incorporating their influences, no matter how varied, into a sound that's very much their own. This is something made all the more evident on their debut EP, 'Go From the Blue Light in to the Moonlight'.

Haunting and understated, the introductory 'City Flow' builds on a basis of guitar and subtle bass with drums only making an appearance in the last 60 seconds or so. Interestingly enough, it's the apparent looseness of the guitars which give both the track and the band their tightness; each member knowing when not to play just as much as when to. Both 'City Flow' and following track, the instrumental 'Something Different Every Night', feel not like separate songs at all, but rather a progression from one to another (the latter feeling far more fleshed out and fully realised); the lack of vocals only serving to draw your attention to the band's musicianship.

Further ominousness is perpetuated by 'Outside Your House', but following track 'Under the Sand Again' feels that little bit more upbeat; the paranoia replaced instead by shimmering guitars which lend themselves wonderfully as a backdrop to Josh Falconer's almost monotone vocal delivery. It will be familiar ground for some - shoegaze being one of the latest 90s genres to enjoy a resurgence, but that shouldn't detract any from Jubilee Courts, who have embraced the genre in both original and contemporary guises before giving it a vocal edge.

At nearly six minutes long, final track 'Sunday Shift' comprises almost a third of the record's run time, but with good reason. A frenetic and progressive track that, much like the band themselves, is built around change and variation; evolving time signatures keeping things fresh before a false ending and a steady build up towards the record's climax sees Jubilee Courts bow out of their debut EP in style.

It was clear from their very first single that this was a band with ambitions, and though they might not be as fully realised here as one might hope, it's still most definitely a step in the right direction, and one can only look forward to what their first full-length might have to offer.