Adventure, experimentation, and straight forward daring are always aspects of songwriting and performance which grab attention even if not always as successfully as intended. Spiritwo is one such band with these attributes in abundance within their debut EP Primitive Twinship, a release which not only steals a healthy focus in its direction but breeds an equally potent appetite for its creativity and the quartet itself. The release is a hectic venture of imagination and audacious enterprise, one which does raise a few questions but ultimately makes a compelling and promise soaked persuasion.
Spiritwo is the brainchild of visual artist Yael Claire Shahmoon who brought it to life in in the clubs of Tel Aviv. Described by Time Out as ‘The Queen of Tel Aviv Underground’, Shahmoon and band relocated to London where their experimental sounds seeded with Middle Eastern influences, electro, doom, and theatre were soon casting an eager following. Their reputation for powerful and riveting stage performances, which have included sharing stages alongside the likes of Martin Rev (Suicide), UK Decay, Punishment of Luxury, Savages, Knifeworld, and Naive New Beaters, has only garnered more acclaimed responses and attentiveness which it is easy to expect Primitive Twinship to push on with its creative ‘bedlam’.
Opening track Soul Mate lays down a tantalising eighties electro lure which leads right into the muscular yet inviting body of the song. Solid beats are soon joined by a great dark weighty bass tempting from Michael Otim Okot and the rock coaxing flames of Charlie Cawood’s guitar. It is immediate bait which takes little time in holding the listener tightly in its persuasive grip especially when the vocals of Shahmoon add their expressive and emotive strength. The weave of grooves within the track, every instrument seemingly providing their own distinct but uniting offering, forges an infectious magnetism to the song but every aspect is a temptation which is hard to deny from the inventive songwriting through to the little dramatic touches vocally and musically. Across its impressive presence the song enchants and snarls, seduces and bruises whilst perpetually awakening thoughts and emotions to a rather exciting debut and band.
Sometimes steps up next and with a chilled atmosphere the seed for its emergence, the song takes mere seconds to take the song’s adventure into a new unique place from its predecessor. Shahmoon spreads her velvety tones across the brewing ambience, the keys and her delivery sculpting a drama which teases and menacingly smooches with the imagination. Erupting with a fiery passion in her voice the track evolves and entwines around the senses and passions like a sonic grasping snake. The track is dark vaudeville at its finest, Shahmoon expelling a range of vocal endeavour which is spiteful and often stretching the theatre appeal of the smouldering fire but thoroughly compelling, like the sounds from start to finish. Comparisons to Bjork have been placed around the band and it is easy to see why as the song pushes eagerly down on the senses, and with elements which loosely could be described and Cardiacs meets Helldorado with a spice of Jess & The Ancients One, it is impossible not to be wrapped up and enjoying the striking experience.
The EP is completed by Dive Down and again emotions and thoughts are taken on a ride of intrigue and unpredictability which leads only to full pleasure. Another electro coaxing opens things up before the beckoning beats of drummer Matt Riley summon any straggling reactions with their firm touch aligned to the again pulsating bass call. Growling breaths and sultry calls merge seamlessly in the music whilst vocally Shahmoon commands attention, her Eastern instinctiveness a delicious spicing to her diverse delivery and entrapment. Combining electro pop with heavy rock and that dramatic wantonness, the track is fuel for the passions.
Debatably there is maybe a little too much going on in songs which will not lie easily with some but if the experimentation of a Mike Patton and Bjork, the passionate adventure of a Mojo Fury or Japanese Fighting Fish, and the dark drama of a Stolen Babies or The Dresden Dolls finds a well-nourished place in your tastes than Spiritwo and their Primitive Twinship EP is a must.
https://www.facebook.com/spirittwo
9/10
RingMaster 17/11/2013
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Check out the new Spiritwo video @ SPIRITWO ‘SOUL MATE’
The RingMaster Review 
Another excellent EP from a band that continuously puts out interesting, catchy, heavy music with heart!