Following on from their well-received sophomore album, The Drip, Wax on Water are back with an appropriately horror-themed EP just in time for Halloween. Entitled Ghouls & Fiends and In-Betweens… the EP features five new tracks, once again showcasing the myriad influences of core duo Maya Damaris and Steve Blessing (joined here by session drummer Matt Chivers). Mixed by ex-Fields of The Nephilim guitarist Paul Miles and mastered by Will Borza, the EP seeks to further cement the band’s credentials as a fast-rising contender on the alt-rock scene.
The EP opens with the shimmering beauty of Ghouls and Fiends, a surprising track with impeccable production, which draws on elements of PJ Harvey, Eels and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, intermingled with a gothic atmosphere that is strangely irresistible. It sees the band taking a step forward from the already impressive The Drip, not least in production terms, and it’s worth the price of admission alone. Steve’s surf-inflected guitar paves the way for the darker Guanciale (Mark of The Vampire), a track with a minor key atmosphere and oddball synth embellishments. It may lack the radio friendly hooks of the opening number, but it compensates with plenty of dynamic, while Maya’s seductive vocals recall the vampire brides of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Slightly whimsical, Deadbeat Guy harks back to the jangly alt rock of Belly and The Breeders, while the chorus is so addictive it should carry a health warning. Despite the quality of what has gone before, the gorgeous Part of Me arguably sits as the EP’s highlight. A stunning ballad, slow-paced, washed with synth and driven by a remarkably assured vocal performance from Maya, it’s a lovely, if atypical piece of music that showcases the band’s myriad strengths in just four little minutes. The EP concludes with a heavier track – More Than I, which recalls the alt-prog of Melissa Auf der Maur’s criminally overlooked debut album. Replete with crackly guitar, synth washes and that stunning, sultry voice, More Than I leaves you wanting more, and it’s hard to believe just how far Wax on Water have come in a few short months.
While The Drip was a strong record in need of tighter editing, Ghouls & Fiends and In-Betweens… is an EP filled with promise that does not put a single foot wrong. Paul Miles was an inspired choice behind the desk, and he has given the duo a gothic sheen that perfectly matches their diverse soundscapes, resulting in an EP that feels thrillingly cohesive, for all that it genre hops. A brilliant release, this not only makes good on the promise of The Drip, but it also opens up whole new avenues for the band on their next offering. Outstanding. 9/10
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