Cristin Heart (vocals/guitar) and Yash Srivastava (vocals/cello) are Sepals. I was excited just by reading that I was getting guitar, cello and vocals. The sounds I heard on their self-titled EP Sepals however were not what I expected. Their music is very down tempo atmospheric shoegaze/electronic.
I really loved some of the soundscapes on this EP. There is a wide array of textures and tones they experiment with. The band gets going with “Something Else” and you are greeted with a warbly synth, a solid beat and bright drone guitars. I had a very hard time understanding the monotone vocals that never felt like a focal point which was fine especially with the shoegaze vibe. It’s almost like he was whispering or just really depressed on a “I can’t get out of bed” type of way. The music does pick up quite a bit and controls the mood of the song. Towards the end it sounds a bit like the Junior Boys and The Postal Service. Up next is “Smudge” which is much more shoegaze and sounded more influenced by a group like My Bloody Valentine. The 90's style guitars are a big factor here with some minor dissonance while the reverb laced drums create a strong foundation. I could barely make out the vocals at all here at points when the music was at it's loudest. I realized this sort of standard shoegaze aesthetic worked well when the music was softer. The vocal delivery is again very monotone, dramatic and barely above a whisper. It fits the mood but I would have liked just a little more dynamics at points but in terms of octaves and emotion. That being said this song was all about the mood. “Chiasmus (I Am Your Projection)” is up next and begins with light synths and the same vocal delivery we have heard in the previous songs. It’s the music that brings the energy to the song and once things get going with the off kilter beat I was into the groove. I loved some of the mild dissonance and even Aphex Twin type beats although this would be something you would hear on his ambient albums. The band closes with “Sympathy” which is the highlight and escapes from the darker depths they were exploring. The vocals which are sung by the other member fit the mood perfectly and I actually wanted to hear more singing on this track. It was a great track to end on and a vibe I hope they explore more of. The recording quality is solid for a home recording DIY project. That being said this is yet another case where working with an engineer or at least a professional mastering engineer could give it that extra ten to fifteen percent. I have high hopes for Sepals. Overall, I think this is a great start and fans of ambient, shoegaze and electronic music will want to check this out and keep your ears peeled for their debut album. Take a listen.
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