In the presser for Eagulls’ second full-length release Ullages, we are reminded that the English post-punk come new wave – and now shoegaze – five-piece have been handpicked to support some of the greatest practitioners of these genres: Manic Street Preachers, The Jesus & Mary Chain and Ride. Here Eagulls wear these influences on their sleeve, but the question is whether their blatant re-styling produces memorable songs or forgettable ones. The answer is both.
Ullages opens strong with Heads or Tails, which offers a sense of theatre and occasion. George Mitchell’s vocals are up front in the mix as the song progresses into a driving industrial groove. A comparatively brighter chorus then arrives to offset the flooding darkness. Up next, Euphoria is bouncier affair centred on a hooky guitar line from guitarist Liam Matthews. Both tracks are emotionally charged, making a pleasant progression from the band’s 2014 self-titled debut.
My Life In Rewind is a clear as day throwback to The Cure, swaying along at a bumbling pace with layers of guitar and a topsy-turvy bassline. It’s not a terrible song, but it fails to evolve into anything concrete. This is a recurring issue as the album continues, exemplified by album closer White Lie Lullabies, whichrelies on modulating soundscapes instead of developing a basic structure.
The single Skipping is a hypnotic loop of shimmering guitars and is ‘80s through and through. With a drive that’s hard to deny, it stands out as one of the album’s better cuts.
Through a process of refining and sculpting their sonic identity, Eagulls have produced an album that promises much, but doesn’t always deliver.
BY CHRIS SCOTT
