Diamond Sea - Songss

Initially, Diamond Sea seem so preoccupied with constructing a minimalist soundscape that it's difficult not to feel left out from their self-indulgent microcosm. Despite titling their album Songss, mere snatches of melody drift in and out of the Eno-esque fog: snippets of tunes that hint at Sigur Ros fronted by Richard Ashcroft, or J. Mascis crooning for Animal Collective. As soon as these familiar reference points surface, they disappear again into the reverb. Lyrics like "If it's always going to be like this - what's the fucking point?" are delivered like someone having a fight in the flat next door: a muffled voice through the wall that it's easy to get caught up in, if hard to empathise with. Therein, though, lies the genius; ensnaring you between looped riffs, huge-sounding delayed guitars and confused/muffled vocals. Diamond Sea leave you nosily contemplating what's gone on long after the last track has played out.