As Aderbat’s cohesive EP draws to a close my relaxed limbs fall victim to a heavenly music-induced coma, if possible. Intelligent song structure, searching tales and thematic instrumentation throughout generate an ethereality that is almost otherworldly; an atmosphere immediately set by the alarming intro and eerie brass accompaniment of jazzy ‘Hardwired’. Despite the diligently controlled and cathartic rhythms, the melodies remain completely unpredictable giving the journeying tracks some unexpected twists and turns. On the gorgeous acoustic ‘Talk to Her’ the drowsily dipping vocals add a layer of surrealism to an otherwise simple ode to the eponymous female developing a real sense of originality. Unless, of course, the Lennon-esque rasp of Taylor’s voice, plucked guitars and cameo string sections momentarily bring any Rubber Soul love lament to mind. Generally, Taylor’s voice is nothing short of compelling whether nervously shaking on arty title track, ‘Man Overboard’, or wavering and fragile on the haunting ‘Unusual’. An often strange collaboration of surprising instruments, the sound has stadium potential, yet, manages to be minimal and dreamily intimate, especially on the sweet and playful ‘Dirt on My Hands’. Stellar and peculiar, the quintet from Bucks County, Pennsylvania invite us into their own universe. Just don’t listen to whilst driving.
//Eve Barlow