Blare

From: Presumably somewhere in the U.S.
Genre: Shoegaze, Post Rock
For Fans Of: Cloakroom, Ringo Deathstar, Slowdive

As soon as their ep starts, crunchy guitars roll in over big drums, and a long period of vocal silence while this banger of an intro track starts. Blare establishes themselves as a band that can handle the lack of vocals in their shoegaze sound (that reminds me of Ringo Deathstar due to those crunchy, crunchy guitar riffs) without losing the massive wall of sound aspect that helps to personify shoegaze. Then song 2 rolls around, largely retaining the pattern of the first but this time with some vocals thrown very low in the mix to add another element. The third track is where my comparison to Cloakroom begins, as the track offers a very atmospheric, blissed out emo/post hardcore like track. This more emo influenced style of shoegaze continues on "Mush", where the vocalist enters with some mumbled, low vocals buried under some very sadboi style guitars. The track still moves very well, playing with the ambiance created by the guitars well and allowing the vocals (which I personally enjoy a lot) to have a bit of a spotlight, no matter how mumble-y and buried they may be. The vocals being so low in the mix doesn't nescessarily hurt the band on any level though. From track one they make it clear that they are a band who's main focus are intense, lush, and large instrumentals. The vocals role is only secondary in the sound, and every song they are featured on is better because of it. The instrumentals this band puts forwards are far too good to be worried about if the lyrics can be heard and make someone say "wow deep" for a passing moment. All the emotional power that needs to be displayed is easily displayed through the instrumentals. Overall Blare is a band that thrives when left to create dense, reverb drench soundscapes that pack a powerful punch and leave the listener constantly wanting more.

Free Tunes: http://driptapes.bandcamp.com/album/meant-well