On the seven songs of their new EP Don’t Forget You’re Here Forever, the appositely named Inuit demonstrate impressive control and flexibility over a wide dynamic range, vacillating skilfully between extremes of quiet, reflective ambience and the resoundingly loud post-rock bursts for which the genre is notable for.
It is difficult to pick highlights, as this is a very consistent and rewarding EP, with every song well crafted and judiciously utilising space and varying dynamics to create the intended atmosphere.
Opener ‘The Staybright’ commences heavily before abating into a beautifully pensive, tranquil section that gradually builds-up again to a cosmic finale.
‘Are You Taking Pictures Of My Stories’ is reminiscent of genre heavyweights Sigur Ros – sparse and glacial, before coming to life and gradually building via chiming guitars and pounding drums towards another epic climax.
The more ethereal ‘Don’t Forget’ may well be the EP’s most alluring song, featuring indecipherable vocals dropped in a murky haze of heavily delayed guitar drones, creating the sort of lush, meditative soundscape that would fit in nicely on the Kranky Records roster.
Closer ‘I’m No Sun Expert’ builds up to some typically epic riffs, before dissipating and finishing with a voice sample of a quote by physicist Richard Feynman – a fantastic way to conclude anything, although the whole song is a worthy conclusion to this thoroughly enjoyable EP.
Inuit are certainly indebted to their post-rock progenitors, but they are not circumscribed by the somewhat hackneyed musical clichés exhibited by many bands passing as post-rock nowadays.
In a milieu saturated with such bands, Inuit’s songs are sufficiently well-composed and atmospherically engaging, enabling them to stand out as a band that may well be going places.
Words: Lyle Simpson
