I’m hearing distant echoes of both Pink Floyd and the Happy Mondays as I listen to the opening strains of “Beacon,” the first track of Kinsley’s new EP “Angels,” and there’s something ecclesiastical about the proceedings: a tambourine and, if I’m hearing things correctly, a frantic, frenetic, even frenzied cry of hallelujah repeated in a chipmunk falsetto as if by an acolyte possessed by a higher power. Then the song kicks in: the crack of a snare, chunky guitar chords, and a fragile, twinkling piano line that gives way to a driving rhythm. As the music unfolds in all of its majesty, what becomes clear is that the purpose of “Beacon” is to elevate the listener and to offer a journey of transformation and transcendence from darkness to light. As the title implies, “Beacon” is, more than anything, a song of possibility, a ray of sonic hope in what may well be an ever-darkening world.

At the center of “Angels” is the song “Magenta.” Here, the angelic theme of the EP takes a darker turn both musically and lyrically. Set in the lonely spaces where people breathe their inevitable (and perhaps inevitably lonely) last, the song seems to be narrated by a guardian angel of sorts, a spirit whose peculiar cross is to bear witness to human suffering while simultaneously being powerless to intervene. On the whole, the song’s attention to death and the angels that accompany it conjure a distinctly gothic sensibility, and I swear I can hear traces of Depeche Mode in the icy synth that underscores the building sense of dread at the heart of the tune, yet as the song progresses, the band’s more prominent influences emerge; a curious blend of Nirvana’s raw energy and Opeth’s epic vision propels the track ever forward into darkly hopeful territory.

Appropriately, the EP comes full-circle with “Revival,” a track that begins with a recording of fireworks exploding in the night sky and transitions swiftly into a triumphal hard-hitting hymn of healing and survival. The world can be a lonely, difficult place, the song implies, yet love heals all wounds and makes the long journey bearable: when we embrace, we see the days of the joy we’ve been deprived. We’re surrounded by angels, the EP suggests at every turn, but perhaps the greatest and most powerful are the angels we become when we comfort each other in the material world.

Follow Kinsley Online:

YouTube | Official Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Streaming

Tune in to AMS RADIO

AMS Radio Top 10

About the Writer:

At any moment on any given day, you can find Marc Schuster engaging in any number of activities: assembling his weekly radio show, interviewing musicians for his blog, laying down drum tracks for various artists, rehearsing for the next show with Philadelphia-based power-pop band Scoopski (in which he plays bass), recording music for his own wide-ranging projects (solo and otherwise), experimenting with film and animation, or designing album covers and concert posters for fellow musicians. On top of all that, he’s full-time college professor with a healthy catalog of publications to his name, including a book on the Beach Boys’ Holland album and an illustrated children’s book titled “Frankie Lumlit’s Janky Drumkit.” Our beloved host of the Tweetcore Radio Hour here on AMS Radio is one to keep busy. Learn more about him and connect online:

Abominations Blog | Marc Schuster Official Website

THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR:

I was but maybe 30 seconds in to “Beacon” before Kinsley’s emotive sound had me captivated and connecting deeply with the music. As I continued to listen to the EP and check out their press kit, I soon also realized that the band’s brand of dissonant Rock oriented was something that aligned very well with my personal taste in music, and indeed a great feature for the blog. The band cited Nirvana, He is Legend, and ETID (among more) as primary influences, also some of my favorites. I definitely recommend their work for fans of those bands. I’ve been jamming this EP quite a bit lately on Tidal and am still enjoying every minute of it! The song “Beacon” has been added to AMS Radio’s featured Tidal Playlist “Sui-TIDAL-Tendencies,” where you can find this and more of my favorite new, independent music out right now. Check it out! And it wouldn’t be a note from me if I didn’t shamlessly “foot stomp” about a “Bandcamper Alert,” as Kinsely is on Bandcamp. The number one place listeners can support artists directly. I’m looking forward to supplementing my collection with their work and spin them on an upcoming “Bandcamping” Podcast soon!

More posts from the Blog Library…