© Chris Patmore Music Photographer
Having made a potent and impressive introduction to themselves with their self-titled debut EP earlier this year, UK rockers Gelato more than back up its success and potential with successor Daydream. The three track release again ignites ears and energies with a sound openly inspired by the likes of Foo Fighters and early Queens of the Stone Age, whilst pushing its own diverse character further to the fore. It is a tantalising and relentlessly infectious adventure and further confirmation of a new exciting prospect for the British music scene.
Made up of vocalist /guitarist Drew Wynen, bassist Phil Harris, and drummer Ben Welburn, London hailing Gelato emerged in 2014 and quickly lured attention through a vibrant and energetic live presence. Airplay via BBC6 was not long in the coming either though it was that Tobin Jones (Bo Ningen, Twilight Sad, Cold Specks) recorded first EP, released this past March, that really woke up ears and awareness for the band. That broader attention is set to be pushed further with Daydream, an encounter offering more of the melodic and catchy delights which marked its predecessor so enjoyably but also venturing into an even wider expanse of flavouring to wrap the pungent hooks and grooves Gelato have already shown themselves so skilled at.
Daydream opens with its title track and straight away has ears and imagination engaged with its first lure of guitar. Straight away the sultriness of the invitation has the scent of Josh Homme and co, but it soon becomes entangled in the imaginative twists and enterprise of Gelato; rousing hooks and tenacious riffs colluding with eagerly swiping beats and the darker bait of the bass. There is a touch of Eagles of Death Metal to the song too when it is raising its intensive punkish stomp whilst throughout, the melodic craft of the band is an invention of unpredictable and seductive prowess.
The excellent start to the EP is matched and surpassed by the outstanding Salivating, the second song floating in on an ethereal ambience veined by a gliding melody as a grounding bassline strolls below the magnetic climate. Into its enthralling stride, the track keenly merges melodic and pop infectiousness in a psych rock embrace, but it is a warm and riveting hug equipped with boisterous energy and swing. KingBathmat and An Entire Legion come to mind as the song continues to flirt and dance with ears and imagination, taking best songs honours upon the EP at the same time.
The release is brought to a fine close by Grey For Good, the lead song for the EP with its new video. Though it might have not been personal choice for single one, all three tracks potent candidates to be fair, the track saunters and pulsates with a bluesy colour to its harmonic and fiery textures, increasingly honing them into richer persuasion and inventive resourcefulness. As with all tracks, stylish hooks grip with ease as rock ‘n’ roll instincts fuel a muscular canter and sonic roar, the result another instinctive pleasure.
From the vocal and stringed craft of Wynen, to the rapacious invention of Harris and the anthemic strengths of Welburn, Daydream is a perpetually compelling and gripping offering. It is also a release which only grows more impressive over time, though it needed few plays to confirm suspicions that Gelato is a fresh breath for UK rock.
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Pete RingMaster 03/11/2015
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Recorded with Tobin Jones (Bo Ningen, Twilight Sad, Cold Specks), the EP kicks off with Get My Way, a track instantly flirting with ears as a wiry guitar hook repeats keenly on the senses amidst a thick prodding of beats. It is appetite raising bait which becomes a feisty stroll with the same sonic lure now embraced by crisp rhythms and a darkly wicked bassline. The vocals of Drew as just as inviting once they emerge too, whilst the QOTSA bred harmonies add a smiling extra to the contagiously engaging adventure. The song continues to snarl and seduce in equal measure, band and sound bounding around like a young colt with the maturity and craft of a rock veteran.