Sunday, 3 July 2016

Jellyskin - Grey Glass Hat

Jellyskin
It must be something they put in the water because, like many indie music pioneers, Jellyskin hail from 'up North'. However, this is not their leading feature, instead what stands out about this trio is their ability to make a song whilst balancing the life of a student. According to the band lead singer, and synther, Zia and guitarist, Will have always wanted to make music together, and with friend Olly being a drummer, they one day came together to work with some ideas. And with this the band birthed their first song Grey Glass Hat, and it's a corker.

The song starts off slow, with ominous syths, that are deeper than the voice of Johnny Cash, and elegant vocal's from lead singer Zia. It doesn't take long for the guitar and drums to make their entrance, really showing off the band's late 80s-early 90s influence creating a sound that's almost a grunge-shoegaze combo. With heavy synths running throughout, and mellow drums to compliment them, it's hard to believe that it's only three of them making so much sound.

Grey Glass Hat 
Whilst the song repeatedly asks you why you don't go, us as the listener asks the band why would we leave this dark and mystical place Jellyskin have managed to engulf us in; even if no one truly knows who the man in the grey glass hat is. The song is progressive, dipping right in the middle to finish on a crescendo that ends in a melancholic climax.

With a name like Jellyskin it's surprising that they can make something that is so structured and ethereal compared to the vision of wobbly flesh. Given that this is their first song, they have made their mark as musicians who can create music that is hauntingly beautiful and heavy at the same time. Sounding as if Smashing Pumpkins have had a love child with London Grammar, or as if a grunge band has taken choir practice, I'd watch this space because, as their name suggests, I have no doubt they're gonna make you as wet as pre-mixed jelly.

Wet your ears: Jelly Skin

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