LA doomgazers Iress have wandered the plains since 2010 becoming a force of nature exquisitely sculpting themselves within the shoegaze realm, with two albums and 2023 EP Solace to look back on with pride this latest effort executes a less is more approach with joyous results.
Iress are delicate and authentic in their presentation as vocalist Michelle Malley’s angelic drawl is a core element gliding and swooning with a heavy heart into the melancholy of opener ‘Falling’ in which a perfect tandem is formed with the bands Hum-like atmosphere. The swathes of distortion from guitarist Graham Walker are shackled to each other in complete understanding as we enter the eerie warbles of ‘Mercy’ with the moody and creeping toms of drummer Glenn Chu only to erupt into a menacing and devastating spectacle.
Just as capable of being an effortlessly somber experience Malley’s vocals levitate during its slower passages to create ominous intrigue as the layers and textures weave together to enable the euphoric crescendos anchored by low end of bass player Michael Maldonado. Some remnants of more optimistic days can be found in ‘Lovely (Forget Me Not)’ as the instrumentals cantor with brightness into the albums catchiest melodies. Just as quickly as it arrived the optimism evaporates in an instant to give way to the more metallic elements of the bands repertoire as emphatic breakdowns are used sparingly but are all the more effective as the omnipresent Walker swells in and out of existence.
Lyrically left up to interpretation but no less haunting and evoking an eternity in mourning “You talk, mourn in my head” is an imprint left forever on the listener during ‘In Reverse’ as it fills the air with a crushing sorrow. The overwhelming emotional presence within the album runs deep and its difficult not to be hooked and let it carry you and even during ‘Knell Mara’ where Iress are at their heaviest and the doom influence leads the way the emotional intensity from Malley is not lost. Towards the end of this journey there is gravel and torture in the vocals, urgency in the instrumentation as if a body in its final throes before we are left with a ponderous closer, as if staring into a river of calm waters, seeping with reflection and anticipating an unknown future.
After more than a decade mastering the swing of the heavy pendulum Iress build upon unwavering unity, group catharsis and an eagerness to make waves. Never more comfortable in their skin and ready to be welcomed and celebrated into the renewed and feverish shoegaze scene. Fans of Chelsea Wolfe and A.A. Williams should flock, because your new favourite band is on a plate. Be sure to catch them this August as they make a jaunt over to the UK supporting the occultist rockers Hexvessel which includes an unmissable performance at ArcTanGent.