The Halves share their “Opus” in sophomore EP
Naarm’s The Halves are back with a new EP, and a more charged sound than ever before. The EP is Opus, and that’s an apt title, because this is their most exciting record to date, packed to the brim with raw energy, sharp songwriting and mood as thick as industrial waste.
The record kicks off with Grace. A slapping guitar riff slams your ears as grit filled vocals enter the stage, as the song builds to a soaring chorus and an elegantly jolting guitar solo. An exciting opening to the record.
Track number two - Can You Feel It? I think you will, with rattlesnake-like tambourine leading into a back and forth start-up/slow-down tempo. This song sounds like a chase through an industrial zone; exhilarating stuff.
Trackstar is next. Anchored by a groovy bassline, the nervy guitars stab through like scissors against cellophane as synths burble and reverb washes over like electronic waves in a current of sound.
Replacement changes things up a bit, being a tender ballad with glassy guitars and floating vocals, with an effective use of quiet-loud dynamics. Nice guitar fills on this one, it’s like a overcast day on a beach.
Track five is Cold In Gloom. With Cure-esque bass and icy reverb, quiet-loud dynamics are once again put to good use here, making for a track that has mood like mist over a cold lake.
@thehalvesband Opus
The closing tune is the title track - Opus. Drums pound as electronic stutters and ghostly drones fly around the sound field. Urgent vocals and crunching guitars fill out the sonic space, with a well placed breakdown section.
This is an EP that’s well worth listening to, so don’t waste your time doing nothing of importance, dear reader, go ahead and listen to Opus. You won’t be disappointed.
The Halves will be touring the Australian east-coast this November, with support acts including Binsad, Local Tough Guy, Charlie Farmer, Fault, Reno. LTD and The Noise. Tickets are available here.
Opusis out now.