Just Mustard – WE WERE JUST HERE
Still disorientating yet more alive than ever, WE WERE JUST HERE is a bold third album from Just Mustard that deftly pairs darkness with light
Since emerging with their 2018 debut Wednesday, Dundalk shoegazers Just Mustard have continued to refine their visceral brand of noise rock. Their sophomore effort Heart Under enhanced their capabilities with a sonically claustrophobic aura, crafted through lenses of grief and longing. With their third effort however, things are different.
WE WERE JUST HERE sees Just Mustard embrace melody intrinsically. This is ever present in Katie Ball’s hauntingly mesmeric vocals, which rise intentionally higher in the mix than any of their previous material, peaking at points including DREAMER and opening track POLLYANNA. Ironically for a shoegaze outfit, this brightness is what makes the five-piece’s new album so intriguing. The title track showcases this best; whilst still leaning towards their usual warped, electronic influences via loops and industrial rhythms, there’s also a tangible feeling of light and euphoria present in their latest music.
Other highlights such as ENDLESS DEATHLESS and SILVER further illustrate this immediacy of emotion, while OUT OF HEAVEN showcases the group’s focus on writing more fully encompassing songs, citing Nirvana and My Bloody Valentine as inspirations. Still disorientating yet more alive than ever, this is a bold album that skillfully pairs darkness with light.
Listen to: POLLYANNA, WE WERE JUST HERE