Glass Beams - Psicodelia instrumental con inflencias indias desde Australia. [Mahal EP]

por CocH. 02.10.24 10:35

The enigmatic masked trio from Melbourne hypnotise with a psychedelic fusion of Aussie surf rock and traditional Indian music.

Creating a sense of mystery is one of the oldest tricks in the music business. Daft Punk, SBTRKT and, more recently, Two Shell – acts known for covering their faces and keeping fans guessing – are all examples of it working successfully. It has certainly helped create buzz around Glass Beams, a psychedelic trio from Melbourne, Australia, who play in ornate gold masks. No one knew who they were until late last year, when founding member Rajan Silva put his name to the project in an interview in Rolling Stone India. Still, they remain elusive, and the other members have so far not been identified.

The group began during lockdown and released their debut EP, Mirage, in 2021, described as “a love letter” to Rajan’s Indian heritage. New five-track EP Mahal is a continuation of this style, which lilts along beautifully. With no obvious lyrics or samples, just textural sounds, the result is experimental, hypnotic and jam-based, melding the melodic tinge of traditional Indian music with Aussie surf rock. The title track is a big tune with a memorable guitar line. Orb is funkier, starting off laid-back before snowballing into an increasingly propulsive rhythm.

With only a few tracks to their name, Glass Beams already have sold-out shows, a rapidly growing social media following and 1.1 million monthly Spotify listeners. With music this good, anonymity is just a part of the appeal.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/30/one-to-watch-glass-beams-melbourne-mahal

Glass Beams, a burgeoning band, has recently emerged onto the music scene, quickly gaining traction amidst a growing demand for authentic, acoustic live performances. Their latest album, "Mahal," has made its full debut on streaming platforms, yet fans can already enjoy these tracks in dynamic live performances on YouTube. With a distinct aesthetic that initially drew attention to their first releases, Glass Beams has seamlessly blended captivating visuals with exceptional music, engaging audiences and leaving a lasting impression.

Despite the apparent simplicity of their compositions, Glass Beams' tracks showcase a depth that belies their straightforward structure. With the guitar weaving hypnotic, rhythmic melodies and the bass maintaining an infectious groove, enhanced by chimes and other intricate sonic elements, the band demonstrates remarkable skill and proficiency in maximizing the potential of their three instruments.

While repetition is a central theme in their music, Glass Beams deftly avoids monotony through the artful performances of their talented musicians, who effortlessly find their rhythm and create a compelling musical experience. Moreover, the infusion of synths and other FX sounds further enriches the sonic landscape, ensuring that each track evolves organically and remains engaging throughout.

Some artists that may have influenced this album include Ravi Shankar and Electric Light Orchestra. The band’s founder has told the media he watched the “Concert For George” DVD with his father. This concert was a tribute for George Harisson, which included some of Harrison’s favorite songs. George really liked the artist Ravi Shankar, and if you put two and two together, some influence can be heard. Glass Beams is based out of Melbourne, and I think the best phrase I found to describe their music is “serpentine psychedelia.” I would like to add to that description and put the word “expensive” somewhere in there. How about if I coined the phrase “Expensive Snake Rock”?

The album Mahal is great as a whole piece. I can really listen to the whole album and not even notice it go by. Or I could sit down and try to listen to every little detail and enjoy it in that way. A lot of people have really taken to Glass Beams’ first releases. This would not be surprising for a pop star-shoot or a rap prodigy. It is surprising, though, for a band like Glass Beams. Surprising and very much refreshing. The rawness and authenticity of this band reminds me of the same thing you get from a band like Khruangbin. The drums are snappy and tight. The bass is too. The floaty and reverberated sounds do take up a lot of space, but nothing in the song feels muddy or out of place. To my frustration, there are no names on the production or songwriting credits. I mean, not that it really matters, I am just nosy like that. The album was simply produced, written, and performed by Glass Beams. Whatever they are up to next, I am excited to find out.

https://musictalkers.com/reviews/9219-glass-beams-mahal-review

por CocH. 07.10.24 12:20

Glass Beams - Psicodelia instrumental con inflencias indias desde Australia. [Mahal EP]

Glass Beams - Psicodelia instrumental con inflencias indias desde Australia. [Mahal EP]

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