Written by Zaim
Following up on their 2018 release, ‘Girls, Cats, Grass and Other Stories’, this year marks the release of Surf Vampire’s sophomore album, Underspell. While the album takes a different tone from GCGOS, it contains the familiarity of Surf Vampires and adds on to it in terms of new use of instrumentations.
Surf Vampires is a four piece dream pop band hailing from Brunei, which we covered in one of our spotlight features. As of now, the band has released 3 EPs and 2 albums, including Underspell, which was released on May 10th, 2019.
While comparable to the sound of Girls, Cats Grass and Other Stories, Underspell takes the amalgamation of other Surf Vampires’ release so far and adds its own unique flair into it. The use of traditional instruments, like the Japanese Koto in Your White Dress Against The Trees, somewhat mirrors the use of Sape, a traditional string instrument from Borneo, in a track called Seria from their first album. Although the familiarity is there, it's kind of like its own new addition while maintaining the band’s constant need of experimentation with other sounds.
The soundscape of Underspell is also a departure from Girls, Cats, Grass and Other Stories. Personally for me, Underspell feels more ethereal than GCGOS. The soundscape in the album feels more dreamlike, as if you are in a NREM sleep, coupled with a sense of euphoric acid trip. This is partly due to the smart use of musical arrangements offered in the album. The groovy basslines, reminiscent of funk origins gives the album a more upbeat sense that makes you want to dance while also gives room for you to digest in the beauty of how they are arranged.
My favorite track from Underspell definitely has to be Belaian. Although it's no competition, as the overall album is top notch, Belaian sticks out most to me because, it is one of the first song by Surf Vampires which is written in Malay. In addition, instrumental wise, like the rest of the album, the track was also not written and arranged half assed. Every bit of subtle detail in the song was really paid attention to, and I personally discover new things everytime I listen to it.
Not saying the whole album was not well put together. My only gripe with Underspell is the lack of tracks. While Girls, Cats, Grass and Other Stories contains 13 tracks, Underspell cuts down by almost in half, by just 7 tracks. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing, I just wish if given more time, I would like to hear what Surf Vampires has to offer in a longer album.
In conclusion, Underspell is a good listen for anyone who has not heard of Surf Vampires and those who have heard of them. I feel like it is a good introduction to the band, and I am very excited of what they have to offer from here on out.
Verdict: 4/5
Listen to Underspell:
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