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Review: 'Dralms'
'Shook'   

-  Album: 'Shook' -  Label: 'Full Time Hobby'
-  Genre: 'Indie' -  Release Date: '2nd October 2015'

Our Rating:
The cover image depicts a man’s head, resting on a crisp, white pillow, the while bedclothes pulled up to his bestubbled chin. He’s wearing a wan, forlorn expression, his eyes sad and distant. If it seems to suggest ‘emo’, and the gothic font suggests 80s goth, then there are certainly elements of both, but there’s much more to Dralms’ debut album than that. Christopher Smith is a master of poise and across the album’s 10 tracks, demonstrates a rare ability to balance drama with understatement.

There’s something quite comedic about the little yelps and in hearing ‘fuck it’ crooned in a gentle voice over a soft synth piano. Only, it’s not comedy: it’s sincere and straight-faced, and it’s not done to laugh at someone laying their heart out there. And so ‘Usage’ gets things to a slightly uncomfortable start. But then, Christopher Smith’s hushed, introverted tones aren’t about making the listener feel comfortable.

As a work of sparse, low-key and downtempo electro-pop, it’s meticulously assembled, and incredibly considered. That Smith delivers his lyrics in a soft, breathy voice, delicate and melodious only accentuates their power.

‘My Heart is the Right Place’ effects the kind of stark, claustrophobic atmosphere that defines The Cure’s ’17 Seconds’, while ‘Objects of Affection’ with its slick sax breaks and slap bass calls to mind ‘Rio’ era Duran Duran. Beneath the dreamy sonic exterior, ‘Gang of Pricks’ is dark and subtly hard-hitting.

Surprisingly potent.

Dralms – Shook Online
  author: Christopher Nosnibor

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Dralms - Shook