LA-based three-piece art-rock / alternative band Mules released their debut single less than a year ago. Active in their local live music scene, they continue to push forward with the release of their new self-titled EP.
‘Scary Bug’ – A thundering, crashing introduction that felt like I was being grabbed by the collar and thrown headfirst into a storm. Intricate guitar melodies weave through the air, and the track is peppered with surprising, unexpected moments of invention. The vocal alternates between hardly audible and a wild scream, and it all adds up to a jolting, invigorating start – like licking a battery. The song contains only a few lines, but it’s a fun (and slightly terrifying) tale of entanglement and fear.
‘and albatross’ – another sudden start and a highly energized track. I like mules’ style! The vocal – at times set back – subtly imposes itself with a warm, rounded glow, and an elastically large range, from way down low to falsetto heights. Just when you think you can’t take the intensity anymore, it comes to a grinding, sudden halt. We’re two-for-two, as this is another overwhelming, roiling wall of sound that feels completely unstoppable.
‘Lancaster’ – As with the other tracks, the lyrics here are ambiguous in more ways than one – frequently obscured in the mix, I found them equally hard to decipher when reading them on their bandcamp page (do go and have a go!) – but hey, that’s half the fun. Anyway, I loved the light and shade here. The tone of the guitars gives things an abrasive edge – a spikey, angular crunch that feels satisfyingly raw. A smoother vocal (with hints of Manic Street Preachers) and a clearer top line make this my favourite track so far.
‘Once Was’ – There’s an almost improvisational feel to this track, and incredible shifts from light to heavy that are executed with effortless precision. The energy smacks you in the face – It’s like sticking your head out of a speeding car. There’s a pulsating, dissonant power that builds and builds – towards the end, it feels similar to (what I imagine) it’s like being sucked into a black hole. A stunning finish to the EP.
After listening to mules, I felt like I needed a quiet moment alone to gather myself. Complex arrangements, strange sounds, crazily intense melodic moments, and ambiguous lyrics make this 4-track EP a confounding, yet spellbinding beast – and it’s one of the most unique records I’ve heard in ages.
Written by Grubby
