For the past several years, the indiegaze outfit Soot Sprite and the emo trio Muttering have been busy toiling away, forging names for themselves in the UK scene. And whilst both acts are undoubtedly unique when it comes to their ruminations on emotion, it could be said that when it comes down to it both bands are truly birds of a feather. It’s a tired and cliched idiom sure, but those familiar with these fantastic acts will no doubt attest to the fact that Soot Sprite and Muttering take a similar approach when it comes to sentimentalism. Both bands, in their own individual way, wonderfully detail the bleak reality of navigating the quiet natures of loss, anxiety and bittersweet experiences in a country and world seemingly on the verge of screaming oblivion. It’s this that makes their collaborative EP For Joy so good.
Less of a clunky mash up of both band’s sounds and more of free flowing organic creation, For Joy sees Soot Sprite and Muttering creating something that’s familiar and reminiscent of both acts, yet wholly new. Nothing quite proves that than leading single and first track ‘Burn The Leaves’. A bold, confident and sweeping belt-along anthem that sees vocalists Chaz Bush and Elise Cook utilising dual-vocal harmonies, the track sounds colossal. It’s a far cry from some of the more dare-say introverted offerings from these acts previously, and it’s impossible not to be moved by its gorgeous interplay, escalating emotion and the ever-relatable rumination on the nature on bittersweet nostalgia and moments passed. ‘Amends’ furthers what makes ‘Burn The Leaves’ great, its chest-pounding heartbreaker of a chorus standing as a record highlight whilst presenting how these two bands’ unique styles can compliment each other to the point where a new sound becomes evident.
Ending on the hazy, shimmering of ‘Spines’, a track that takes Soot Sprite’s indiegaze sound and influences with a sense of anthemic emo complete with some welcome slide guitar, the only singular negative thing about this record is just how criminally short it is. Bristling with chemistry and beautifully sentimental, this may be the best collaborative effort the UK emo scene has seen in years. Truly, whilst the record doesn’t sound anything like it, For Joy harkens thoughts of Curse These Metal Hands, the collaborative effort between Conjurer and Pijn thanks to its sense of unfettered chemistry and the joy that comes from authentic and inspired collaboration. But regardless if you’re existing fans of Soot Sprite and Muttering or not, this is an EP that must be heard by anyone with an interest in the UK emo and adjacent scene.