ist ist debut album 'Architecture' out tomorrow
Formed in Manchester in 2014, ist ist have done things their own way, releasing a number of EPs and singles independently and building a strong reputation and following simply by word of mouth. And that’s what makes ist ist something special in my book. They are writing and producing what feels totally right for them, not bending to commercial needs or requirements. Architecture is their debut full album, and it’s out tomorrow 1 May 2020. Their music is that great kind of mix of guitars and synths. This is the kind of things that would appeal to fans of bands such as Joy Division, The Slow Readers Club, Depeche Mode and Sisters of Mercy. Their style, like the album art, is quite stark, and feels very dystopian, almost monochromatic.
Frontman Adam Houghton’s wonderful baritone voice, reminds me in places of The Sister’s Andrew Eldritch. It has that same, deep, powerful, commanding presence that just draws you in to the mood. The band describe the new album 'Architecture' as referring to the architecture of the mind and whilst it isn't a concept album, the lyrics explore emotional turmoil, anxiousness and redemption. It seems an appropriate topic in 2020 when the importance of mental health and mental well-being have never been more prevalent.
The album opens with ‘Wolves’ the open bars of synth soundscapes reminded me of the more recent Gary Numan albums such as Splinter or Savage with a wonderful deep almost spoken word voiceover, before the guitars kick in. It’s dark and brooding… almost menacing in places and documents a woman’s descent into paranoia and nightmares of wolves taking her child - the animals themselves a metaphor for social services. Not your usual young love kinda album opening. It sets the scene for whats to come brilliantly.
Next up we have ‘You’re Mine’ with its faster tempo and thundering basslines, and a feel very much in the style of Fields of the Nephilim or Joy Division. It gives a detached but powerful view of relationships.
‘Black’ is a story of lost love. The video for this one is about a woman haunted by the ghosts of her past. It has a feeling of dark, almost unachievable love with lyrics such as "I can't make the clouds clear for you, there's nothing that I'd rather do, I can't make the seasons change for you, there's nothing I'd rather do" This track is a wonderful juxtaposition to some of the other more upbeat tracks, especially with it’s chorus of "what's left is only black, black, black."
‘Discipline’ raises the tempo again, again with a very 80’s synth opening, before the most wonderful dirty, hypnotic bassline kicks in. The lyrics are simple but so effective “What’s good for the mind, is good for the body, what you need is some discipline”. The synth work on this track took me back and was brilliantly executed.
‘A New Love Song’ is a complete re-working of one of their early tracks. It’s been slowed right down taking away of the earlier versions raw fierce intensity, but creating something far greater and majestic. One of ist ist’s greatest skills is their ability to control the pace and therefore the impact their music has on the listener. Adam Houghton’s deep baritone voice sits perfectly here against the almost apocalyptically moody synth backdrop that sucks you right in to it’s claustrophobic world. A simply stunning track.
‘Silence’ is another track that’s being re-released here in a new form, more up tempo and is followed by ‘Drowning in the Shallow End’ which as the opening bars hit me made me smile. It felt so different and I thought for a moment the intro was heralding a cheesy 80’s synth pop hit….. but the synth riff continued under the baritone vocals, and gave the track a kind of lightness, almost a sense of humour in the mist of the other tracks. There was something wonderful about these light airy synth riffs underpinning the dark chorus of “Drowning in the Shallow End”. Wonderful.
Another re-imagined track is ‘Night’s Arm’. It sounds refreshed and the guitars took more of the lead on this one, with loud sweeping and powerful riffs. ‘Under the Skin’ slows the pace again. Again, the dystopian feel of this track is simply incredible, with lyrics such as “Chewing through the wires, The committee won’t permit this… leading different lives, the Committee won’t permit this…. Trying to get by, the Committee won’t permit this… I’m under your skin.” It also includes one of the most disgustingly wonderful bass sounds I’ve heard in a while, and it’s fitting as the tracks comes to a conclusion the bass becomes the sole focus as the track fades away.
Finally we reach the final track ‘Slowly We Escape’ It starts simply, with a haunting feel as quiet synth chords underpin tight menacing deep vocals, it then opens up slowly, adding claps effects and volume rising slowly until finally it bursts into life as the drums and guitar riffs take over, bringing the album to a metaphoric, exhilarating finale. Simply stunning.
So what can we say about ist ist and ‘Architecture’ ? Well, this is hard working band with a vision who won’t compromise on their art, and this debut full release is a credit to the band. It’s gritty, it’s dark, it’s deep and it’s incredibly powerful, but has it’s lighter almost humorous moments (see ‘Drowning in the Shallow End’). One minute it’s pounding the next it’s delicate and emotive. The track structure is also well thought out and runs well. Stunning !
A simply magnificent album. I’ve ordered my vinyl copy tonight and will be enjoying this for a long time. A worthy 5/5 rating from LiveWire Music.
‘Architecture’ by ist ist is out tomorrow and available to order here: https://www.musicglue.com/ististmusic
