Art School - EP Review: Art School
Art School is the short two-track self-titled EP from Wellington
five-piece, Art School. Beginning with eight seconds of silence, Clown, kicks in with pulsing synths,
leading to some jazzy guitar over the top. Mature in their composition, Art School makes use of silence, and has
no issues with transitioning to different tempos mid-track. There is a level of
funk and soul, with an excitingly variable vocal style, that is reminiscent of
some of the more experimental early Incubus tracks. An amalgamation of
influences and genre stylings, the EP carries a lot of long-winded journeys of
Pink Floyd, with the nostalgia-inducing styles of jazz and lounge music.
The second track of the release, Scatter Brain, is the more reclusive of the two tracks, and is in no rush to get to the choral build-up. Going against every formula of what mainstream music churns out, the reserved pace is soothing and peaceful, eliciting no huge surges in energy, but body-wide pulse that begs you to listen further and melt into your chair.
These two tracks hold a variety of musical directions, combining minimalistic compositions with the heavily-layered soundscapes, and an impressive vocal style. Focusing on the higher end of the spectrum, there is a fragility, and grace exuded, that still exhibits strength and control. The dynamic drum work is one of the elements that makes Art School feel more like an orchestral arrangement than an Indie Pop release, but that touch of class with otherwise conventional electric instruments, is what generates a lot of appeal. Every instrument adds its own rhythm and melody and doesn’t necessarily play for the entirety of the tracks. They come and go when needed, and their absence adds the impetus to their next presence.
A well-developed sound, that holds a level of restraint and maturity that is missing from the market.
About Art School
Singles Clown and Scatter Brain exude feelings of nostalgia and hopefulness, laden with emotion. Both songs embark on a dynamic journey, ranging from laidback and introspective to powerful and exulted.
The five piece band consists of drums, base, guitar, keys and vocals. Art School’s sound is somewhere between Bad Bad Not Good, Tame Impala and Flying Lotus. The release of Art School’s debut EP has been highly anticipated throughout Wellington, where audiences are rearing to get the first taste of what’s to come from the band, before they embark on a 3-stop tour across the North Island. Art Schools first show is in the Capital, then Wanganui and last but not least Himatangi Beach.
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