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With a remix of Nathan Fake’s ‘The Sky Was Pink’ and the electronically explorative Elliptic EP preceding it, it comes as little surprise to discover in Dilate an accumulated 4 years of synth-driven experimentation by the 5-piece from Leeds. Though guitars haven’t been ditched altogether for this album, it’s quite clear that a shift of instrumental emphasis has been unilaterally adopted by a band more experienced in traditional rock instruments as a means of evoking sweeping vistas and chaotic soundscapes. Dilate‘s electronic dominance suggests that Vessels have moved to an altogether more transcendental plane of musical production, if not post-rock mindset.
Opening track ‘Vertical’ gives a good account of this new synth supremacy. A typically muted percussion introduction and the ensuing establishing of a simple chord progression shows a band still firmly in touch with the core ideals they established in 2008’s White Fields and Open Devices. The track lays out the persistent sense of deep brooding that runs throughout the album and is subsequently explored thoroughly in Attica and Glass Lake.
‘Elliptic’ very firmly establishes several of Vessels’ newly acquired predilections. A relentless and muscular bassline cuts through the playful, dancing synths and institutes a powerful contrapuntal motif against the electronic block chords – a perfect example of Vessels’ incredible ability to create a euphoric and captivating riff with very few notes. Echo In provides much the same mood, with similar levels of vivaciously panned warbling set alongside distant, ghostly nuances.
Though there is little deviation from this formula, the first of two vocal songs, ‘As You Are’ (featuring Isolde), expresses an obvious admiration for the kind of slow-burning ambiance favoured by Jon Hopkins and thus, offers a welcome respite. On ‘Monos’ (featuring Snow Fox) is an altogether more clubby affair; a notion extraordinarily foreign to old school Vessels fans.
Dilate maintains a seamless transition between songs throughout, with producer Richard Formby playing the crucial role in both this and in providing tracks like ‘Glass Lake’ and ‘Attica’ with the crisp attack that their overtly aggressive dispositions require.
‘Glass Lake’ and ‘On Your Own Ten Toes’ provide an outro lacking in any tangible theme to latch on to and as such, see the album out with more of a whimper than their usual apocalyptic climax. Regardless, Dilate remains a triumph for newly-born Vessels and is surely the beginning of a fantastic foray into untapped territory for the band.
Vessels play Kings Heath’s Hare & Hounds on Sunday March 15 with support from Free School (DJ set). Tickets are on sale now, here.
