There is a temptation to lazily file Ecce Shnak under the ever-expanding umbrella of alternative art-rock, but "Shadows Grow Fangs" resists that kind of shorthand at every turn. This EP feels less like a collection of songs and more like stepping into a living, shifting soundscape that is restless, surreal, and oddly mesmerizing. Comparisons to dreamlike abstraction aren are misplaced; there is a distinctly painterly quality to how the band constructs each moment, bending genre and tone into something that feels constantly in motion yet strangely cohesive.
From the outset, the record establishes a playful but precise identity. "Prayer on Love" opens with a groove that feels inviting on the surface, but quickly reveals layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity. The interplay between David Roush and Bella Komodromos is immediately compelling, their voices circling each other with a mix of warmth and tension that mirrors the song with its thematic exploration of loves contradictions. What begins as something approachable gradually morphs into a dense, almost hypnotic swirl of sound, setting the tone for the unpredictable trajectory of this record.
That unpredictability sharpens on "The Internet," a track that initially leans into wiry art-punk energy before unfolding into something far more intricate. Elements of post-punk, jazz, and baroque pop do not just coexist. They collide and recombine in real time. The result is theatrical without feeling forced, intellectual without losing its sense of play. The title track, "Shadows Grow Fangs," continues this approach, brimming with kinetic rhythms and genre-blurring ambition. Each section feels like a new doorway, opening into unexpected sonic territory while still feeding into a larger, carefully structured whole.
The closing stretch of this EP might be its most daring. "Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy" is a whirlwind, conceptually and musically, drawing inspiration from Jeremy Bentham and translating it into a restless, shape-shifting composition. Its chaotic in the best sense, packed with ideas that somehow never overwhelm the listener. In contrast, "Stroll With Me" offers a moment of intimacy and restraint, anchored by delicate guitar work and a more exposed emotional core. It does not feel like a cooldown so much as a reframing, revealing another dimension of the already expansive palette of this band.
|
What ultimately makes "Shadows Grow Fangs" stand out is not just its individuality - but also the sense of intent behind the experimentation. Ecce Shnak are not just exploring sounds. They are building a virtual world - one that invites curiosity and rewards repeated listens. In a landscape crowded with innovation for its own sake, this EP feels purposeful, imaginative, and genuinely exciting.
CREDITS
Music written / composed by David Roush
David Roush - vocals, classical guitar, drum kit, keyboard
Jeff Lucci - electric guitar, electric bass
Isabella Komodromos - background vocals
Recorded and produced by Jeff Lucci at the Art Farm (NY)
Mixed by Nicholas Vernhes
Mastered by Greg Calbi
A&R: Beth Narducci for You + Me Entertainment
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Released by Records Man, Records
|
