Like the mesmeric shimmer of sun on crystal clear waters, the new album from Russian quintet Pinkshinyultrablast seduces and as if sinking further in that mesmeric state, Grandfeathered steers the imagination into a dream world of bold and unpredictable drama. Not much more than a year ago the Saint-Petersburg hailing band impressed and drew rich acclaim for their debut album Everything Else Matters, but now they have left it in the shadows with the richer invention and imagination of Grandfeathered, a second full-length taking the listener off on a collection of irresistible adventures.
The shoegaze beauty of its predecessor has not been abandoned in Grandfeathered but fair to say it is a bigger and bolder experimentation of sound and flowing ambiences wrapped in celestial born harmonies. That exploration is immediately in evidence within opener Initial. Its first breath is a singular electronic lure, a nagging siren-esque note which is soon joined by aural silver and sonic mercury. There is no escaping the metallic feel of the impending proposal and indeed its harsher dark depths as a scuzzy wind blows across the unpredictable coaxing on the senses. Subsequently though, the song dives into the warm waters of melodies as the bewitching vocals of Lyubov seduces song and ears alongside within the captivating landscape of Rustam’s keys.
It is easy to offer up bands such as Lush and Cocteau Twins as reference to the Pinkshinyultrablast invention but this time around they are mere spices in a recipe distinct to the five-piece as shown by Glow Vastly. Erupting in a scuzz ball of guitar from Roman loaded with fiercely enticing hooks, the song quickly shows a darker intent and range of imposing shadows. Equally though, it entices with a Japan like venture as an exotic climate envelopes ears amidst engagingly invasive electronics with Lyubov’s voice a beacon of radiance and the bass of Igor a provocative temper backed by the roaming beats of Sergey. As the first, and those to come, the song provides a suggestive travelogue of sound which sparks the imagination to roam its own adventure.
Through the rhythmically snappy and melodically bubbly I Catch You Napping and the excited shuffle of Kiddy Pool Dreams, the band sculpts another pair of infection soaked escapades. The first is a collusion of contrasts, heavy rapacious surges entangling with a pop toned catchiness and virulent swagger whilst its successor skips with melodic innocence across the heavier trespasses of raw textures. As ears eventually find themselves drawn into a kaleidoscopic realm of sparkling electronics and unconventional sonic scenery, the ever tantalising and seductive vocals make mesmeric company as a free fall through the song’s soundscape turns into a finale of rousing guitar rock.
The boisterously energetic and contagious Comet Marbles is a radiant shower of temptation and poetic enterprise next complete with a bass led funk seeded undercurrent whilst The Cherry Pit offers its own inescapable web of catchiness through rolling rhythms and flirtatious harmonics. Both tempt and tease in their individual ways with keys and guitars as compelling as Lyubov’s caresses and the blend of contrasting yet perfectly united textures anthemically inviting and often commandingly bracing.
The album is concluded by firstly the invigoratingly punkish exploits of the alternative rock meets fiery shoegaze that is Mölkky and finally the hip involving dance of the album’s title track. Every song has a surging energy and a liveliness which grips body and soul, it as much the by-product of the rich blends woven into their new musical exploration as a determined intent, but Grandfeathered is the one song which leaves exhaustion as rife as rich pleasure.
Pop, shoegaze, alternative pop, however you wish to describe Grandfeathered, the album is one highly stimulating and seriously enjoyable adventure. Its predecessor certainly pleased, but Pinkshinyultrablast has bred, nurtured, and unleashed a beast of unshakable temptation this time around which is sure to poke the keenest global spotlights.
Grandfeathered is released digitally and on CD February 26th via Club AC30 through most online stores with ltd edition “Ride The Sky”, “Pinkle”, and “Acid Lollypop” flavoured vinyl where still available.
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Pete RingMaster 24/02/2016
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