Skying is a colourful and ambitious album with loads of influences, some more obvious than others, which bring new, refreshing aspects to the band's sound. not gonna list all the specific bands, that's something to argue about, but the album's generally inspired by late 80's dream pop and new wave with a smidge of shoegaze and psychedelia essence, but there's a lot more to it than that. frontman Faris Badwan's side project, the lovely Cat's Eyes makes its presence as well.
1. Changing the Rain: sweet, anthemic opener with swooping melodies and deep, crooning vocals that knock you off straight away. distorted claps resemble ocean waves crashing onto the shore. has a really upward feel to it and gives a strong impression of what's to come - airy dream pop euphoria with picturesque scenes of midsummer days by the sea.
2. You Said: synth-driven and mellow with a nice 80's vibe to it. there's a sense of wamth and tranquility, like when swimming fully submerged in clear waters. the synths blending together with the hushed vocals create a very laid-back mood around the chorus.
3. I Can See Though You: with the seemingly jovial synth line in the beginning it might come across as yet another dreamy tune, but once the fuzzy guitar kicks in, followed by the somewhat icy vocals, particularly on the line: "No one remembers your name, No one tries." it turns out to be one of the more darker, straightforward songs on the album, a key track nonetheless.
4. Endless Blue: personal stand-out track, which first drifts along in a breezy, down-tempo lull with subtle ease. horns gradually add a little build-up. then straight out of the blue, a Sonic Youth-like guitar riff cuts in, creating an exciting contrast between the two sections. immensely catchy and motivational.
5. Dive In: trippy and enchanting. have a bit of a frenzy for this. love the droning guitar and the chorus is exceptionally gorgeous. the repetive "Away away, away you go." is like a farewell. second half is utterly charming.
6. Still Life: with a lot of sincerity and optimism, it was an obvious choice as the leading single. personally it's left slightly outshined, due to its moderation. those synths might end up sounding a bit cheesy in the long run, but nevertheless a very delightful song for late morning wake-ups.
7. Wild Eyed: first lead by a drum and a bassline, then swoops into a hazy dream, and closes with glorious horns. really captivating. I find myself caught up in the line, "Water's cool if that's what you came for." for no apparent reason.
8. Moving Further Away: slow-burning, near 9-minute monster of a song that you know will grow towards something intense. has a genuine feeling of space and journey, when the mesmerizing synths guide through vast landscapes. the middle bit has one of those rare guitar moments. seagulls, the calm before the storm. the ending is a frantic ouburst of thunderously clanging instruments. it's way beyond me how it all comes clashing down. the highpoint of the album, hands down.
9. Monica Gems: strikes right off at the first note. mindboggling guitar work and a definite touch of Suede on this one. the verses are almost dizzying, in this case seasickness, when it becomes way too overwhelming and hectic, but in a kinda pleasant way. love the backing vocals and just the sheer energy put into it.
10. Oceans Burning: another lengthy one and a stunning closer that now seems to be a signature thing for the band, although the acoustic guitar here is an unexpected feauture, yet it does hit the mark. drags a little, but has a lot of longing and rueful emotions in it, so it's justified to take its time to build up. once the outro roams in, it all becomes so unreal, like a crash landing. the line, "Turns out you were right all along." that trails away to the very end is heartwrenching. what a way to wrap up the album!
lyricwise not the most strongest, but the album makes up for it with its consistency and overall sense of flowing, almost like floating in mid-air and it does have a bunch of jaw-dropping moments in there as well. also gotta give recognition for the band's innovative, do-it-your-self take on making a self-produced album with guitarist Joshua Hayward's homemade pedals and synths, which give it a distinctive sound. Skying is easy to become fond of in all its overwhelming euphoria, when properly delved into. a definite soundtrack for the summer and a well worthy candidate for the Mercury Prize award.
ok there you have it skying by the horrors. recommended for people who listen to Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, the Big Pink, Warpaint, and Pains of Being Pure at Heart. also if you like this album you should listen to the horrors ep i love it.
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