Eyre Llew is a post-rock trio from Nottingham, England. While BBC Radio describes them as “Britain’s answer to Sigur Rós,” I would characterize them as a sort of “Explosions in the Sky with vocals.” The trio is releasing their sophomore album, Bloom, on September 18th, and they will be playing The Nest venue in their hometown the day after the album’s release.
The album opens up with its titular track, “Bloom,” an atmospheric sound with slow, angelic, male vocals. Drums enter with a post-rock feel that could fill a stadium. The first song seamlessly flows into the next, “Aetos”, with live recordings of birds and single tones from the piano creating a liminal and cinematic feel. By the third song “Oban”, we are transported into a lead guitar and a Chris Martin-esque vocal timbre that feels like it could have been featured on the OC. The fourth, “Fireworks,” gives us a steady rhythm from the drums, with a dancing, freestyle guitar over the top for six minutes.
This is the kind of music meant to fill an arena wrought with emotion, or for staring at the ceiling of a friend’s comfortable basement floor. The album brings in choir harmonies that feel like Elvish hymns with hopeful piano and built crescendos. It also brings in Lumineers-style group shouts kindred with the Americana wave. The song “Semper Fi” brings in a rhythmic chant of the same phrase, which translates beautifully to “Always Faithful.” And if there is a theme that ties together the album, it is that cinematic post-rock sound; the unity of this closes out the album, the kind that helps clear thoughts and inspire presence.
All things considered, Eyre Llew’s Bloom is a sonically cohesive album that relaxes the mind and instills feelings of hope. It’s a good one to light a candle and relax with at home.
The album is out everywhere on Friday, September 18th from Penance Music Group. You can listen to the most recent single here. TICKETS are available for their September 19th show at The Nest in Nottingham, England.
The Indy Review 