If you can make it through the video for Here Comes Your Temple’s So High, the lead single from their debut EP of the same name, without falling for it a little one way or another you’re probably either a Swedish alt-pop hating Nazi or you’re still struggling to come to terms with a bad case of being a nonse.
Set for release on the 15th April 2013 the EP is a solid 5 tracks, making it an old school mini-album introduction to Here Is Your Temple. The single will be out on the 18th March 2013 and we can’t wait to here it a few times on the stereo.
The opening notes of So High are like a blast, and the motorik drum automation creates a driving pace for the track. Vocals are a cool mix of Nico and Agnetha with a slight tremolo effect, overlaying a simple deep bass line and pierced by an infectious chiming melody. It’s a stylish darkened synth pop single with a matching shadowy forest flicker video that highlights the potential of the band. Check out the video for the So High single below.
Once Rich takes things in mellowed directions with more class vocals and smart lyrics, including “once rich, but no more. Nothing is a sure thing” and “tell me which button to push on you”. There’s an ethereal soundscape to the track and another stunning melody that’s upbeat in the wake of So High’s piercing cracks.
Vocals take the plunge in Say Hey, bringing a richer timbre to the mix, along with more cool lyrics… “I’m a pacifist, but not a traitor”. Guitar creeps in stronger too, but with an acoustic shimmer, underpinned by a military beat and scrunching synth sounds. However, things get a bit more pop than alt on Big Way, despite the grind of the guitar hook. It’s hard to pinpoint what makes it stack up so poorly to the other tracks, other than a more obvious sound and construction, but it’s definitely a step out of time.
Final track, Daniel, is an anomaly somewhere between folk, glam and Brian Eno. The addition of the male vocals will split opinions on the closer, but overall it works well in our opinion, in a melancholic sort of meander, especially once the pace picks up half way through the song.
Psych-dream alt pop runs throughout the So High EP, which has been lovingly crafted by the 5 Swedish band mates that make up Here Comes Your Temple. With amazing vocals from Emily McWilliam, shoe-gaze and ringing acoustic guitar from Andreas Hourdakis, automaton drums from Olle Nyman, deep dark bass by Ille Borg and synth excellence inspired by Mikael Svensson on keys, it’s an ace introduction.
Here Comes Your Temple, So High EP review: 3.9/5
