Album Review: Kissaway Trail – Breach
Since The Kissaway Trail’s 2010 sophomore album, Sleep Mountain, the band have seen the departure of their bassist and guitarist. But, the Danish outfit seems to have fully embraced their new formation as a trio. It’s as if they’ve been reborn and fought back with intentions to prove something through daring new qualities. Breach carries more aggression than their previous two albums, though don’t worry it’s not like they’ve gone hardcore punk or anything. There are some moments where the old, quieter indie sound seeps through, like in opener ‘Telly the Truth’ and ‘Cuts of Youth (Eternal Summer)’. ‘Shaking The Mote’, meanwhile, also streams similarities to their previous material, such as ‘New Lipstick’ which was chosen to soundtrack the initial advert for new gadget Google Glass earlier this year.
It’s a record that sees the three-piece swing to more alternative rock heights, with subtle hints of dreamy pop to gel everything together. ‘Sarah Jevo’ is especially stomping, forged from persistent drums and foundational riffs.
It’s the middle section of the record that really intensifies this new tone, before coming in for an altogether more refined ending. This central chunk acts like the albums ‘bait’, waiting to lure you in for good. The brilliant ‘Beauty Still Rebels’ hits hard with a buzzing undertone, making you feel a little unbalanced at first. But, with some help from the dense drums and stalking guitars – not to mention the dark vocal tone – everything begins to work itself out. ‘So Sorry’ follows on, headed up with a fast-paced beat and gloomy lyrics. The mysterious ‘Sarah’ – lots of Sarah-based songs on here – provides a short dramatic instrumental interlude.
The trio, Thomas L. Fagerlund, ren B. Corneliussen and Hasse Mydtskov, have extended their talents for a set of finishing tracks that cleverly merge the band’s former sound with this shiny, rejuvenated Kissaway Trail. ‘The Sinking’ boasts some acoustic ditties in the style of their debut record, mixed with the rugged feel more at hand here. ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’ continues with the misty cinematic theme, rife with hazy words about falling into hell. Then ‘Robot’ leaps into a futuristic whirl with a robot jabbering away in the distance, wallowing in the murky gaggle of grand synth washes.
The Kissaway Trail’s ability to blend their newfound influences as a trio with glimpses back to their previous life as a five-piece, gives a wide and promising snapshot into their future as a group.
– Hayley Fox
