★★★★
Spookyland released theirRock And Roll WeaklingEP back in 2014, but really made waves with the video for ‘The Silly Fucking Thing’ the following year.
The emotive song showcased just what it is that appeals about this band: soaring instrumentals, contrasting vocals and raw emotion.
Now comes Spookyland’s debut album, Beauty Already Beautiful. The opening track, ‘Abuse’, kick-starts proceedings with Marcus Gordon’s drawling vocals draped over strings. ‘Nowhereland’ is a sprawling, unwinding affair, before the single, ‘Big Head’, announces itself brashly. This track suggests Gordon is willing to pursue any subject matter that pops into his head, no matter how strange or inappropriate it may seem. The vocals are again at the fore on ‘Champions’, which is undoubtedly one of the album’s strongest moments. ‘Discipline’ is a stripped-back number, followed by the piano ballad ‘Rebellion’. By the time ‘Turn’ rolls around, it’s ridiculously apparent that Spookyland aren’t worried about making radio-friendly songs. Despite this, all the tracks gel together. Sure, each one has an obvious beginning and end, but the record is very much a cohesive experience.
Spookyland have lived up to the promise of their debut EP and delivered an album that’s more a work of art than a mere hotchpotch of songs.
Spookyland’sBeauty Already Beautifulis out through Inertia.
