Dear Desert
Gift Above
October 20 2014 (digital)
8.5/10
Words: Linn Branson
If, on this occasion, we may skip the preamble and linear commenting on an EP, and get straight to the nitty gritty: 'Supernatural Love' is one of the best tracks to be heard on a debut release in many moons; and if there is another vocalist who puts as much heartfelt emotion into the lyrics as does Brendan Millar during the last minute of this, I have yet to hear it. These lyrics of "I just couldn't save her, in time" and the deep wailing howl in which they are delivered, you don't need to be psychic to tell these hold some deep personal relevance to the writer.
On this Asta Kalapa/Dear Desert produced debut EP, the Dublin three - Millar, Richie Fenton and James O' Donnell - have come up with a work that is both articulate and memorable; dripping in emotionally wrenching synth pop, from the driving rhythms and impassioned soul of 'Give It Up', to 'Gift Above', the title track that shines on strains of synths and percussion. It's six minutes long too, and you have to wait 90 seconds for the vocal - but oh boy, is it worth it. Completing the four tracks is 'Pharoah Vessel', with a slight ecclesiastical feel to it in places, notably in Millar adopting brief excursions into near Gregorian-like chant mode, set against staccato beats and choral type harmonies.
The one problem with this exquisitely lovely EP is that there simply isn't enough of it. It hasn't just whetted the appetite for another eight songs that one might expect on a full-length, it's positively started an addictive obsession to hear what this band will produce next.
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