Lamia is the latest from clash bowley which I think contains the coolest looking artwork I have seen from the prolific artist. The half snake half woman artwork also seems to be a theme at least with some of the songs.
The title track “Lamia” certainly delves into those themes. bowley sings “In the sound of the slither / Is the soul of the snake / And it sends you all a-quiver.” This song also includes some of the most original sound design and percussion I have heard from. There’s a trip-hop beat that is panned hard left as longer sustained guitar notes and a slithering percussion element is occasionally implemented. It’s a smooth groove but man oh man does this song give you the imagery of a snake. “Gooseflesh” is a slow burn. I’ve never quite heard him treat the bass like this but it sounds like it is reversed or morphing. The delayed snare works well here giving you a sense of entering an otherworldly dreamspace. bowley sounds great on vocals which rise above the mix. Succubus is a supernatural entity that appears in dreams to seduce men, usually through sexual activity. It’s also the title of the third song on the album. The song revolves around fast moving and slick beats and vocals. On this song the bass is way in the background. This makes the guitar really shine when they come into the mix. As the album progressed I thought there were some songs which expanded on his signature sound. “Sleep” was very solid with some inventive drum programming and ambient texture and tones which surround you. The vocals delivery work here and blend into this introspective and melancholy flavor. “Clean” is classic bowley in fine form with some poetic lyrics that hit hard. Bowley sings “My mind's a twist / I can't think straight / Six dimensional / Folds in fate / I need to scream / I need to cry / Covered up in sin / All bent and sly.” In my opinion this is a great description of what depression can feel like. If that wasn’t the intent he still hit it on the head. Some of the other standout songs were “Silhouette” and “Life” which contains morphing guitar chord progression that gave this song a distinct sound. This is another solid release from bowley. The song “Lamia” is one of the best songs I’ve heard from him. He was showcasing some new textures and sound design possibilities. On that note there’s a lot to appreciate here so take a listen.
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