"...‘Verbatim’ completes the panoramic yet down-tempo denouement, the soothing outro bringing to mind a sunset on a deserted beach..."
Nottingham based post rock quartet Field Studies share their sophomore extended-play release in the shape of the four-track ‘Rainmaking’, and right from the off, the skyrocketing sonic ambition is almost palpable. Chris Bailey’s soaring vocals, arguably a mash-up of Yorke, Buckley and Hegarty set the tone early into opener ‘Hushed Up’ a sprawling, sometimes preposterous, sometimes awe-inspiring journey through loud and quiet, ably assisted by his cohorts Kasper Sandstrom (Guitar), Charlie Howarth (Bass) and Andrew Harrison (Percussion).
Next up is ‘Listener’ this time the swooping melody finds itself underpinned by a steady groove, becoming truly desolate in places but holding it together melodically for long enough to reel you in beautifully before shattering your brain with a sea of crunching riffs. ‘Crook’ serves up more of a dissonant opening but the swooping soundscape returns once more, interspersed with discordant guitar assaults, giving it more of a shoegaze finish.
Finally ‘Verbatim’ completes the panoramic yet down-tempo denouement, the soothing outro bringing to mind a sunset on a deserted beach.
One can certainly look forward to the band extending themselves even further on future releases.
Words - Mike Price
Rainmaking ep is out now. Buy on itunes
