When Dublin and music are mentioned in close proximity, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were about to hear of one of the many exemplary post-punk outfits that have rolled off of the Dublin factory line, because you’d be absolutely correct.
To place Odd Morris within the confines of the post-punk genre that has cast such a focused eye on their home city, however, would be doing them a disservice. The brooding darkness behind the music is still there, with deeply introspective cuts like that of The Murder Capital. But the tracks showcase in their new EP, Cityscape the Ballet are much more refined, showcasing a less abrupt debut than the likes of their Dublin city compatriots.
The driven texture behind the cuts on this EP are reminiscent of The National. Low tones in the rhythm sections that are sliced through with contrast from the hi-hats, the way that the guitars constantly seem to be away doing opposing jobs but somehow intertwine to create an atmospheric space with jagged edges… This, coupled with the overwhelming emotions conveyed; being at odds with the traditional, stiff-upper-lip masculinity that has filtered down from those before us (‘Silhouette’), and a questioning the failings of romances past (‘The Once Was Enough’).
On top of the obvious lyrical and instrumental prowess, Daragh Griffin’s vocal delivery adds to every piece edge and anticipation, from an almost Mancunian rasp in ‘Rose Like Smoke’, to an airier tone taken in ‘You Tried’, as well as the titular track ‘Cityscape the Ballet’. The ethereal direction taken in the latter tracks is akin to the latter stages of Fontaines D.C.’s ‘A Hero’s Death’.
It’s modern folk with a post-punk edge, the early years of The National replacing a deep Matt Berninger croon with post millennial frustrations articulated in the perfect manner. This is Odd Morris and they’re here to stay.
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Odd Morris’ Cityscape The Ballet EP is out tomorrow – Wednesday 27th – and is available to pre-order and pre-save now
