Windowhead – Terrestrials | EP Review

Windowhead's marriage of melancholic forces is a union worthy of your immediate attention on Terrestrials

What stands out immediately in Terrestrials is experiencing something different and yet so familiar. A band influenced by the greats of Thrice and At The Drive In would be in danger of ground already tread, but the amalgamation of influences have been executed to not just imitate but harness the spirit and creativity that makes the bands so iconic. It is the post-rock and lo-fi woven into their sound which gives it added dimension to stand slightly taller than similar sounding bands. It begins with the lush melody in ‘Ex-Terrestrials’ providing the scaffolding for all other elements to ascend. As our introduction to the vocals are the unforgiving passages of harshness complimented by poised guitar work. An orchestration void of traditional formula where no verse and chorus is found but yet more passages of instrumental fluctuation as we ascend further into the desperate howls which are enforced by a layer of immensely satisfying guttural screams and catharsis chasing call and response. Delightfully titled ‘Cat Insulin’ shows fragility sits at the heart of Terrestrials, with vocalist Joe Arnolds vocals channelling the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate to really hone in on the lo-fi influence which flickers throughout the EP. Guitars are weaving through every fibre of its anatomy, borrowing from their influential pillars, and we even have a moment for some blackgaze screams while we thunder towards our closing seconds. 

Lyrically they shed the metaphors of early work to attack topics plaguing society with plenty of wit and cutting social commentary as ‘Todd, Honey’ holds up the spotlight on the hypocrisy of America’s libertarian gun culture. Although dark in subject matter the track is a glistening tribute to math rock and post rock as it revels in being unconventional catchy and overflowing with a vast and wondrous atmosphere. Windowhead close us out on the emotional and personally heartfelt ‘I Had To Reach Out and Grab It Before It Disappeared Forever’ which is a highlight. A well layered post-rock inspired titan which touches on the struggles to belong in a room of strangers and its emotionally heavy air borrows from the band’s bedroom roots as it carefully builds a structure of all its anxiety and tension only to be released as guitars wail and Arnold delivers his most dynamic vocal performance before we hit the ground with screams reminiscent of As Living Arrows.

Windowhead have shown a tremendous level of execution in creatively delivering their take on genres which have taken on many tired forms, but with Terrestrial they’ve shown it can feel new and exciting once again.