I always enjoy getting behind homegrown talent. Such is the case with Sheffield based New Ghosts. They have been steadily building a strong profile since 2019 through releasing a mini album, two EPs, and a handful of well received standalone singles. They describe their sound as a blend of art rock, shoegaze and dreampop. The best music out there is always where genres blur at the edges and form a new shape. The band consists of Taran Ali, Nic Bowden, Gareth Hughes, Ellie Richards, Joe Richards, and Chris Anderson. All seasoned musicians in their own right.
Asked to give us an insight into their album, A Dagger In Every Tide, the band said this.
“A Dagger In Every Tide” was written in the wake of a near death experience – the catalyst which imbued the record with a sense of loss and urgency, making the songs feel, at times almost uncomfortably autobiographical. It also provided a narrative thread which weaves throughout the record, with the “narrator” imagining their death, and then searching for a long since deceased loved one. “
The album opens on the otherworldly tones of ‘Like Lazarus’. I’m reminded of Radiohead at times through the glitchy rhythm section and that eerie undulating organ sound. From that foundation emerges the bands sound. Fuzzed bass couches harmony vocals and we’re off. It’s a stunning arrival and sets the bar high!
‘Cherry Violence’ next takes that fuzz bass and builds a towering epic of as song on it. Thunderous drums drive the menacing pace as cavernous guitars weave their way back and forth across the soundstage. I particularly enjoyed the vocal treatment here, giving the song its own unique imprint.
Up next is ‘Over’ a story of addiction, and of a life squandered. The guitars capture the pain and grief of the lyrics in their mournful wails. This is a two hander vocally and the mirror approach again lends this a very personal sound that a harmony vocal would only pretty up. The closing section of the song lifts the tone with a more optimistic vocal delivery and uplifting guitar riff. I love that the band aren’t afraid to just let the song dictate how long it needs to be.
‘Dreamsong’ opens on an undulating synth line before the song arrives fully formed and seeking your undivided attention. Vocals are up front and, in your face, lyrically as well. When they sing the line “Time is just an atom bomb a reason to exist is not enough” it just floored me. Whilst this song, like the preceding tracks, leans heavily on that fuzzy, distorted guitar tone it’s never as a crutch. The guitars are there to drive the melody, and here it’s the melody that’s king.
Just to prove my point ‘Viscera’ arrives with its bombastic twin drummer performance. Check out the bass on this one, it’s core to that ever-escalating ebb and flow. I love the chorus melody, it’s a proper ear worm delivered with real heart. As the song morphs around the halfway mark, it feels like we are starting to descend. The song slowly gives up its instruments one by one and we are left with some ambient atmospherics to float around in. With the sound of own breathing for company. That was a trip!!
On ‘Red & Blue’ the band say it “paints a picture of insurmountable grief and pain when confronted with someone you love being suddenly and violently taken from you.” This is by far the bands most dynamic song on the album so far. It features a guest vocal from Julie Clarkson whose voice really taps into an Englishness that lifts the song to another level. As always melody drives everything, even through those complicated time changes that leave you breathless.
The emotional gut punches continue in ‘Wayfarer’. This has electronica elements that bring to mind The Postal Service and Pinkshinyultrablast. But it’s the lyrics here that have me in awe. “I’ve seen it all (all this love), There’s not a secret to keep, I’ve been received by my kin. The future’s done.” I’m not crying, you’re crying!!!! This is songwriting at its most poignant and shows a band that know exactly what they’re doing. Easily my album stand out track.
‘All Endings’ is a massive sounding track that sounds like the band are already planning their festival circuit. This is what I’d call big stage music. It straddles shoegaze, dreampop, metal and indie over its five-minute run and never sounds confused. It’s testament to the bands surehanded approach to their craft that they make this sound effortless.
The album concludes all too soon with ‘Slow’. Opening like an introspective ballad the off-kilter meter lending the vocals a most impactful delivery. The eruption of guitars mid song lifts us off into the stratosphere and we’re flying. This is the kind of thing I’ve only seen the likes of Sigur Ros or Mogwai achieve effectively. That face melting wall of sound yet losing none of the emotional impact at the heart of the song.
A Dagger In Every Tide is the sound of an experienced band bringing their sound into laser focus. Honing all the learned knowledge into a sharp edge that cuts straight through to the heart of their subject matter. Contemplating our own death and our existence with that knowledge. New Ghost have tackled an extremely emotive subject with the utmost care and respect. So much so that after this album slowly fades out your left feeling hopeful and optimistic. If that isn’t a gift in these dark and confused days then what is?
A Dagger In Every Tide is out on September 6th 2024 and you can grab this on download from the New Ghost Bandcamp page.
You can follow New Ghost on social media here…
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