Dan Hillier
Self-described as “a band that appreciates the peaks and troughs of post-rock as much as the crunch of the riff”, IAN are a collective that confront the misery of all things with a sense of joy. But after all, who can blame them. Modern living has become synonymous with monotonous drudgery. Whilst the world continues to roll downhill to a crest of a vertical cliff, existence has become a perpetual uphill slog punctuated by moments of personal grief, loss and tragedy. It takes a real sense of resilience and maybe something somewhat resembling bravery to not only square up against the jaws of defeatism, but to smile whilst doing so. Which in turn makes this debut just so fantastic and genuine.
The debut full length from the band composed of members Hannah Asprey (Cello), Anna Jones (Bass), Craig Murray (Guitar, Samples), Ted Reynolds (Guitar, Samples) and Bob D’Mello (Drums), Come On Everybody, Let’s Do Nothing! is a record as radiant with camaraderie as it is musically bleak. Across the five long-form tracks that form this record, IAN take the intricate, emotionally devastating string-led post rock of the aforementioned likes of Pijn and Godspeed before intermingling them with the kind of annihilating post metal akin that’s akin to Amenra and Cult of Luna. The result is a record that’s utterly emotionally devastating – it’s serene crests and thunderous crashing mirroring that of the violent rising seas that threaten all life upon earth.
However, there is joy here. This album is one of defiance, the sound of close friends taking great joy in enjoying collaboration and chemistry. And as such, this combination is what ultimately makes this album just so immersive and cerebral. The term cinematic may be hyperbolic and overused these days, but to say this is anything but would be a fallacy; Come On Everybody, Let’s Do Nothing! is the masterfully soundtrack composed to staring at the expanding sun about to consume Earth with nothing but a smile on one’s face.
Come On Everybody, Let’s Do Nothing! is released October 17th via Human Worth, with 10% of all profits being donated to Mermaids and the crucial work they do in supporting the lives of young trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people. Pre-order the record here, and listen to the record exclusively early below.