I think I said as much when I wrote about the glorious single, “Mountains,” which kicks off this ep, that Valvet’s ability to move from folky lowlands to sky-searing sonic summits was an impressive feat. And if I didn’t, I’m saying it now. The fact that they can travel so far in just four minutes and do so in such natural steps shows that we have a band that understands not just songwriting but also the often elusive art of the dynamic build.
“Half-Measure” matches that anthemic ability but is shot through with lulling lulls and intriguing interludes, and again, the song’s sonic spectrum, one that seems to compress an almost prog-rock adventurousness and cinematic beauty into the proceedings, makes for an impressive experience.
Impressive, but never anything but accessible, “Giving It Up” perfectly blends groove and grandeur, a driving, pop-aware indie-rock blast that is the rarest of things: big and clever, infectious yet intelligent. And having mentioned the dreaded p-word already, “Falling” is an intriguing way to sign off, a collage of coiled, mathy guitars and atmospheric spaces, compelling vocals and creative rock structures, like a symphony in a bottle, smart and sophophisticated, occasionally understated and sometimes explosive, it covers a lot of ground without ever feeling like it is playing to the gallery. In other words, it is clever without ever appearing to try to be.
“Mountains” might have been the single, but with the full reveal of the EP, it proves to be just the tip of the sonic iceberg. (Yes, not the best metaphor, but you know what I mean.)
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