New Whirl EP, "Distressor"

Northern California band, Whirl have just released a new EP entitled "Distressor". Considering how new this band is, "Distressor" predicts that Whirl will be a name that most people in the shoegaze scene will know by the time the year is through.

The opening track, "Preface" has Kate Radley-esque talking vocals over Bloody Valentine-inspired riffs. The following track, "Leave", sounds like Chapterhouse if they formed in 2009 and vocals remind me a bit of Aberdeen with added reverb. The 3rd track,"Blue", has an opening riff sounding like something from the Smashing Pumpkins' b-side collection Pisces Iscariot, while the rest of it provides a dreamy, shoegaze landscape full of promise for this new band.

"Ghost" is a hauntingly beautiful track which goes into the more upbeat "Meaningless". "Meaningless" hints of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and The Telescopes at their best, while "Child" sounds like classic My Bloody Valentine. The last track of the EP, "Sandy", has an acoustic edge, mixed with atmospheric fuzz which fills up the track and provides a beautiful ending.

To buy this EP for $0.10 or more, visit whirl.bandcamp.com