The Parachute Testers in an Irish alt folk collection that draws from archaic folklore, mythical worlds and thoughtful spheres. You’ll feel the grounding energy that makes up their work. It is not just artistic work, but cultural and atmospheric songwriting that really immerses the listener in a whole new realm of feeling. Their debut album ‘Halfway To Everywhere’, presents a free exploration of this curated world.
A world that is full of swirling music and surreal planes, all converging to form a storytelling magic that you cannot get enough of. Their work on this album has been compared to The Cranberries, especially for their interpretation of dreamy alternative, folk explorations, fronted by thoughtful female vocals. Delicate and ethereal, there’s a very special musical dalliance here.
The title track opens the album. With mild guitar planes setting the musical horizon, the soundscape develops within the expansive bounds of this energy. The vocals form the next layer, transporting the listener with its expressive presentation. Rustic acoustics come in for the third layer. Like an abstract watercolor painting, with streaks of color, the track forms a call for adventurous drift and new escapes. With pooling vocal harmonies and dense melodic hues, and an electronic orchestra the track climbs up moodily to its climax. It’s a beautiful song to usher in a new and vital chapter of your life with someone you love.
You’ll see this mellow atmospheric drift in a few other tracks in the album. ‘Tired Bones’, ‘Too Much Coffee’ and ‘Flüchtlinge’ gain such a beautiful melodic trajectory, converging into a beautiful dome of feeling that you will not forget in a hurry. It’s the kind of tracks that remind you of the human moments. That takes you back to the liveliness of life underneath the mundane.
‘A Sight For Sore Eyes’ is a masterclass on dreamy melancholy. The melodic magic and its intimate interactions with the fragile vocal presence is so beautiful to witness. Like the silvery blue light of dawn, the feeling that it evokes is surreal and full of bloom. Full of visuals and unique, it’s quite literally a sight for sore eyes. ‘Don’t Want to Know’ and ‘Bluebirds’ are in this space as well. Plush with synth color, visually evocative and chock full of otherworldly sensibilities.
‘The World’s Worst Acrobat’ is a warm alt folk soup. Swaying like birds swaying a breeze, it has a softness that reminds you of spring and winter. It is hopeful and melancholic at the same time. A bitter sweetness done so well that it’ll move you to tears.
‘Black Dog Runs Wild’ and ‘Set Yourself Free’ are cut from the same energetic cloth. The band stays strong with the alt rock here, curating electric guitar wonders. Riffs flowing into psychedelic electronica, swirling grooves, all taking us to a coarse, gritty dream. Both of them have their own unique worlds. One of dark love and sensuality. Other of love despite war and violence. Both very moody and dark, both so very human.
As you listen to the complex layers and songwriting sophistication in this album, you’ll realise that this band’s songwriting is a gift. They’re doing important work to move people with great art. It’s novel, self-sourced and so authentic. Their sense of self is also quite powerful. Also, such an impressive debut collection. Listen Now!
Check out the album here :
