Between Steven Ansell’s production work for other bands (Arxx, The Xcerts, etc), Laura-Mary Carter’s recently released solo record and running their own label, the band somehow found time to record a brand new EP, and then before the year had even passed they crafted an entirely new record to follow it up. That new record is Ghosts On Tape, the bands sixth full length studio venture, and perhaps their most intrepid yet…
It’s a well known fact that Brighton is the birthplace of many of the UK’s most coveted independently creative artists, and Blood Red Shoes are certainly one of the key components to this observation. Naturally progressing from the darker tone of previous EP release Ø the duo are flexing their morbid intrigue with a record that’s ominous by design. In the bands own words; “It is broody, apocalyptic, gothic, stark, and unguarded. It is an unforgiving record in a way we have never made before.” “The darkness is right in the foreground, and every note and every choice of sound is designed to paint the same ominous picture.”
This is immediately apparent by the analogue tones entwined with brooding piano notes on opening track ‘COMPLY’. The slow, dragging build tensioned by Ansell’s lamenting lyrics as the song slowly becomes more crackled and distorted, the lingering sense of dread that’ll send a shiver down your spine before the infectious rhythms of ‘MORBID FASCINATION’ kick in. An alluring, catchy number that would feel apt scoring the end credits or main theme of a slasher flick, Laura takes the lead vocal spot here and channels some final girl energy, harbouring confrontational thought yet basking in contemplation of it all.
The steady climb of instrumentation that’s been building as each track creeps by reaches a climax on ‘MURDER ME’, crunchy guitars and bulbous drum beat intensify the ghostly atmosphere here, manifesting imagery of creepy stalkers or possibly some sort of possessive, dark spirit. Born of the bands intrigue into the world of serial killers and true crime, the band manage to contrast the disturbing “I’ve been watching you” lyric as one of the most singalong moments on the record, like some sort of disturbing eldritch boogie.
The flow of the chosen order for the songs paints a perfect parallel with the pacing of a conventional horror movie, the tense feeling of soon to be present danger is affirmed after an interlude by the unhinged swell of ‘GIVE UP’, with Steven once again taking lead on the vocals to push the aggression of what feels like the backing to a chase sequence, where licks of distorted guitar and high tempo drums fill the soundscape. The duality of having both the band members never gets old, a longtime practice for Blood Red Shoes, they always find the perfect balance in every song, whether it’s just one member of the band taking the spotlight or both working in tandem with eachother for the effect of a larger presence, it keeps the band feeling fresh and versatile throughout every body of work they’ve put out, and Ghosts On Tape is no exception to this rule.
The record begins to wander over to grungier territory through its mid section, where the songs before were lead by the drumming, in ‘SUCKER’ and ‘BEGGING’ the guitar begins to feature more prominently, complimenting the shift in tone towards a more steadfast vibe for the undeclared protagonist figure that the album seems to embody, whether intentionally or not, the kindred themes that Ghosts On Tape shares with suspenseful cinema are hard to ignore, as if counterpart to some unseen plot that unfolds as you listen on, we veer steadily towards another climactic build, embedded in the triad of ‘I AM NOT YOU’, ‘DIG A HOLE’ and ‘I LOSE EVERYTHING I OWN’, these three songs together stagger us with three thunderous claps of fury, defiance and swagger before the album takes a respectable bow out with ‘FOUR TWO SEVEN’.
Every moment on this record feels carefully considered, from the specific instrumentation used in each song to the precise ordering of the tracks, the band’s boundless creativity colliding once again with their sheer underdog capability. Blood Red Shoes have demonstrated flawlessly the unrestricted prowess of an independent band who set their hearts and minds on a work of art that encompasses their most absolute passion.