Review: The Insektlife Cycle - Purple Gaze EP

The Insektlife Cycle, if you remember, appeared on this blog a very little while ago as part of the 'Friends Of The Fishes' 7" that Fruits de Mer are selling at the forthcoming 'The 13th Dream of Dr Sardonicus Festival of Psychedelia'. Keith from FdM must have seen something in the band, and who am I to disagree. The guys in the band very kindly sent over the EP for my perusement, and it became quite clear that Keith, as ever, was spot on. The band also make up some of Hateure (also reviewed here)...and that, for me, makes it all the more impressive....the fact that the guys can switch from heavy, sludgey doom to sunny post-rock/psych pop is testament to both their musicianship and their creativity. Kudos guys!

The opener, 'Purple Drank' is a melodic post-rock affair. Crystal clear guitars are reminiscent of some of the great post-rock bands (Explosions In The Sky, Don Calellero etc) and at times veer into an almost jazz-like trance. 'Sun Gaze' is a continuation of 'Purple Drank' but more vibrant and alive...there is an added intensity without becoming hurried and too busy. If these guys ever decided to make a purely post-rock LP, it would be a cracker...they have the chops and the feel to make a decided impact in the genre. 'Tristful Ecstasy' is a whole different affair - it has a decided seventies vibe and is more electronic based than the previous tracks, what guitar there is play a trippy, lounge-y psychedelia that borders on funky and yet at the same time it has hints of forgotten memories ala hauntology. Overall, this EP has 'summer' written all over it....all three tracks make the listener feel good, and in this day and age, this can only be a fine thing.

The EP can be downloaded from the band's bandcamp page here for only $3 - bargain!