LAcemaker - Sometimes Smiling Sometimes Grave

Lacemaker

Sometimes Smiling Sometimes Grave
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo 

Lacemaker gives us Sometimes Smiling Sometimes Grave, which is filled with a unique and unmatched sound not heard by many. Ume meets Ladytron mixed with a bit of a vengeance and you’ve got Lacemaker. This album is dripping in indie-goth-chill-wave vibes and at times I also hear some indie pop as well as indie rock. Yet overall, the music upholds a dark, devilish demeanor that is neither overbearing nor unpleasant. Sometimes Smiling Sometimes Grave presents a sort of sophisticated darkness for its listeners.

Opening the album, “Long Eyes” begins with an ethereally intriguing percussion and soon it morphs into a sweet and volatile ballad of lust and dangerous love. The almost ominous guitar strumming really pulls the persona of this song together. Another layer of guitar chords seem to emulate whining violins and make this song incredibly striking on deep levels.

The song “Shack & Twolips” is one of the heavier tracks and simultaneously lies in so many genres it makes it quite a trip to listen to. The heavy guitars and soft yet reaching vocals make this song quite emotional and deep. The following song “SSS Grave” is far more slowed down yet seems to be something of an inevitable trap that we’re falling into while listening. Doesn’t matter though, because all the while the lullaby is quite tantalizing, which eases the suffering of such a dark seduction.

The album is well recorded yet at times there could be a bit more clarity in the sound as vocals and drums tend to be drowned out. There is definitely some ingenuity in this album because of the distinctness of style and defiance to genre classification. Overall, this is a successful production of goth-inspired indie pop music that’s perfect for those dark and dim days.