Brighton’s ladylike have crafted a gorgeous thing here- meddling in the spaces between atmospheric post-rock’s open horizons and delicate, soft-focus folk intimacy, with Georgia Butler’s voice a beautiful, lyrical instrument in its own right. The rest of the band- Spencer Withey (Guitar, Synth, Backing Vocals, Production), Archie Sagers (Bass) and James Ely (Drums)- collectively toy with pace and shifting dynamics with a controlled sense of urgency – making this feel sometimes like several songs colliding in elegant synchronicity around a central sonic conceit. Butler describes the song as ‘depicting the relentless work ethic of the modern day person’ but its oblique refrains are abstract enough for the listener to project all manner of isolationist contemplations upon its ever-evolving four minutes, the repeated mantra of ‘I don’t need anyone‘ taking on unsettling, waterboarding significance.
Vocally there are echoes of Dawn McCarthy and perhaps more notably Angel Olsen – particularly when placed within such dramatic settings. Guitars are spidery, cold in tone and hypnotic in their repetitions and then, with sudden propulsion, exploding into more visceral white noise evoking distorted atmospheres at the song’s close. There are broad vistas captured in this music – as vast American landscapes enter the mind despite the band’s British postcode. The patterns and words repeat but subtly mutate until that final cymbal clattering conclusion. It’s a joy – despite the somewhat existential futility at its lyrical core, and pays repeated listening.
I’m sure we will be hearing a good deal more from ladylike. Horse’s Mouth is a great place to start.
Written by M. A Welsh (Misophone)
Music | Misophone (bandcamp.com)
