What an album!
Hailing from Rome and Dublin, three-piece London based Semaphore are a band to take note of.
During the band's four years in production, they have altered their original dark psychedelic rock sound to something with a more hypnotic undercoat. They have a guitar driven intensity while consciously still holding the psychedelic reins on the music they create. ‘Luminaire’ is the band's recent release and is a record that sent shivers down my spine because of its interesting mix of musical ingredients.
The combination of creative minds all adding their own touch to these tunes creates one eerie, yet intensely radiating album. There are some edgy folksy guitars present within many of the tracks; ‘Miss Cool Talker’ is one of the more prominent songs for this. However, the strong guitar riffs are still the main focus on many songs, such as ‘Platform Nine’. The darker side of things comes through with the mystery and eerie presence of ‘Don’t Look Back’ and ‘Empty Letters’. Here, even with the sinister atmosphere created, each of the tunes ends in an explosive moment and at these points the vocals are more effective than ever.
The music might have the occasional spring in its step but the vocals keep a dark cloud overhead. Louis Brennan’s distinctive, very deep and dark voice shows so much maturity and depth; he sounds full of experience, adventure, knowledge and passion, something I wouldn’t have imagined was possible from a lad in his early twenties.
I am not usually one to listen to music as intense as ‘Luminaire’ can be at times. It usually gives me the willies and I don’t find it very enjoyable. This record however is enthralling and had me in its grasp until the end. They make dark and shadowy music to plunge into.