There is no shortage of new exciting shoegaze in Europe, but I am going to welcome any debutants anyway, especially if they sound like the Irish project. Silk released their first ever (mini)album in May, but it got to my hands only now and I didn't hesitate to count it among the best noisy and dreamy releases of the year.
I don't quite know what to make of it as the label states that this is a solo project while all the visuals show a whole band. And frankly, the depth and the volume of the music, to me clearly indicate multiple people involved. Anyhow. The man behind it is Michael Smyth (ex Virgins) regardless and you can clearly hear that he is no real debutante. If you can almost touch the noise, it means this is a good nugaze. No wonder the band members in the picture show their love for Nothing (and yes, they also supported the iconic Americans).
The sound you can touch as clearly as a wall you hit with your head is one thing, but obviously there is the counterbalance in the form of the dreamy vocals and sweet melodies that are as catchy as they are hypnotic. Clementine, Slide Away or my favourite track here, Pleasures are really not far from the best shoegaze songs from the old masters, but they also feel fresh, just like nugaze intended.
Auralux costs 3.5 EUR (3 GBP).
Check: Pleasures
Country: Ireland
Genre: nugaze
Label: Blowtorch Records/Shore Dive Records
