Blackpool alternative rock band JEKYLL have released their new EP ‘The Whispering Gallery’.The band consists of Joel Foster (vocals / guitar), Lewis Armistead (bass), Liam Singleton (drums) and Mike Spence (guitar). Jekyll hooked up with fierce panda at The Great Escape in 2018 in time for the lively, driving debut ‘Jekyll’ EP. Much of that release, as well as the ‘The Whispering Gallery’ singles, have been championed by Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy, while their summertime BBC Maida Vale session for Radio 1 was played out on the Huw, Jack Saunders and Daniel P Carter shows.
‘The Whispering Gallery’ is an ambitious collection of tracks as JEKYLL present their wonderfully embellished musicianship through a dramatic ethereal wall of sound. The band magnify their hyper alternative rock through a prism of implosive guitars, relentless bass lines and pounding drums. ‘The Whispering Gallery’ streams energetic alternative rock into a distortion filtered kaleidoscope to create sublime facets of shoegaze hues and indie pop undertones. The invigorating rush of ‘The Escapist’ kick starts the EP with a flurry of guitars ricocheting off the punchy drums as the band build a haunting crashing sound tightly entwined in an exhilarating sense of tension and mystery. With crisp vocals and climactic progression there is a Muse – esque vibe about the track. The constant jogging rhythms and western – like tonality mangled between an epic arrangement displays maturity and growth in the band. ‘I Do What I Can’ and ‘Marionette’ follow the intensity, splurging a spine chilling bass rumble over the bands bracing melodic foundation. The eerie crawling melodies and equally implosive and explosive soundscapes make each track thrilling and tantalizing to the ears as the band flesh out sublime songwriting and lushly textured songs. With shredding solos, sharp falsettos and bitter sweet tones between blistering instrumentation each track is one energetic bursting eruption after another. JEKYLL display their shoegaze swagger through ‘Echoes (Uncut)’ with crashing razor sharp guitar lacerating through a buoyant backdrop while a sweet laid back melody grooves throughout as if innocently oblivious to the perilous heavy background. The verses drift beautifully into the mighty chorus with ease allowing each blossoming instrumental burst to flourish wonderfully for the psychedelic tinged crescendo. It’s a doozy of a track that is both charming, sweet and epic all at once. The band close the EP with a sweet little gem ‘Midnight Swim’. The calmest and most delicate number on the EP. This track, sways with soft piano and subtle twinkling soundscapes. As the song unfolds the piano wisps you away in an elegant arrangement while soft tender vocals coo with passionate and supple emotion. It’s a calming and utterly time stopping piece to bring the EP to a superb and mature finale.
JEKYLL show maturity beyond their years with ‘The Whispering Gallery’. They present a sound rich with lush textures, masterful intricacies and refined majestic musicianship that is sure to revolve in your head all day and leave you in awe of their grand and dignified arrangements.
About the EP Joel Foster said: “I first got the idea for the name of the EP from a poem by Thomas Hardy called ‘In A Whispering Gallery. The poem, as I understand it, is all about whispers from an unknown source reaching you and making you believe in transcendental and / or spiritual communication. A Whispering Gallery is also what the inside of domes in cathedrals are usually called, because if you stand in them whispers carry as loud as any other sound and are clearly audible. One of the main themes of the EP is based around the idea that the relationship between people and the stars is similar to that of a whispering gallery. Many of the songs on the EP reference stars and astral nobodies: ‘Echoes’ is all about stars; ‘The Escapist’ talks about the stars watching you self-destruct and longing to save you from harm; and ‘Midnight Swim’ also references going for a swim in the moonlight – ‘where trinket stars hang upon bloated skies’ – to cleanse yourself of life’s chaos. It just felt like the most fitting title and it fits the sentimental and spiritual themes perfectly.”
Stream ‘The Whispering Gallery’ below
Author : Danu
