Sweet and low down, Air Formation release a soft and beautiful opus
Rushing to stand still this record starts off with fast strokes of a guitar chord, which are soon annexed by a delay effect that takes the whole original sound and slows it and blurs it into the formational trend that is set to follow through this unusual and inspiring set of four pretty songs.
'For The Hours' is the first on '57 Octaves Below', a soft-edged sword of an EP from Brighton band Air Formation. Proteges of the Mogwai and Sigur Ros sound, this group are proving very likely to be the next in line to win big on it. Why? Because this record displays an array of talent and a blatant disregard for the general gravitational pull of today's main stream.
The first track is wonderfully lush and soapy, like a rush of clouds bubbling and fizzing away sedately and intently. 'Never Far Away' is great too, a harder sound that effortlessly emanates a sense of the band having complete control over these audio shapes that they meticulously create. 'Ghosts' is a subdued and dreamy little gem that sits very nicely in your ears, whispering spiritually at the brain. And the ender 'Hope' is an uplifting epic that perfectly rounds off a very well formed little EP.
A beautiful few songs, soft-focus aural imagery that seduces and satisfies. Great for that moment when you just need a break from it all, this short record'll sort you out. Air Formation have figured something good here...