“Post-rock” is a bit of a strange term. What does it actually mean? Music that uses the sound and instrumentation of normal ‘Rock’ but does away with Rock’s standard ridged structuring (and vocals), free to operate under its own (often pompous) terms? Or is it something simple, like ‘music by fenceposts’? Whichever the case may be, this debut EP from Sydney trio Solkyri sounds more like epic sonic exploration than any fences I’ve cared to listen to.
‘Zee Germans’ begins slowly, with piano and guitar picking out a haunting melody. Eventually a lone trumpet joins the piano refrain, adding all kinds of unnamed tensions and atmosphere. Drums fade in briefly, alluding to a crescendo which never appears. ‘Court-A’ sees the trio move to band mode, joined by a flute singing out the melody, adding a nice contrast. The track builds upon itself, until it hits an epic peak, distorted guitars swallow the flute and take off into the stratosphere. Suddenly everything peels back to reveal piano, which is eventually joined by flute and glockenspiel. ‘This Can’t Wait!’ reminded me instantly of Mogwai, with its glock and room sounding drums all strung out on reverb drenched guitars, while ‘Strangers’ infuses guitars with piano, flute, glockenspeil and cello gets the required melodic centerpiece taken care of with ease, before mutating into a post-rock second half. ‘Young Man, You Will Die of This Company’ has a stately brass section snaking its way alongside the other instruments, almost sounding like a rockier version of what Sigur Ros once was. Closing duties fall on ‘Slowly, We Take Steps (Astronaut)’ which proceeds with a slow grandiose melody, before lifting its pace to the finish.
Parts of this are certainly reminiscent of luminaries like Mogwai, or even Mono, and certainly contains elements of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, which is not to say that it is derivative, as sounding anything like any of these outfits is certainly no mean feat. I could definitely think of worse groups to sound like. My only critique would be that the pieces are let down in parts by the mix. Some instruments, particularly the drums, are pushed a little too far back, and really need to be up front to drive everything forward. Still, it’s quite an engaging listen.
Nick Giles
