Album Review

Soft Bullets – Hyperreality EP

• 9th Nov 2012

Soft Bullets are Christopher Wall (UK) and Dan Capaldi (US). The duo have produced a four track EP of chilled out music that is electronic in the main, but uses a myriad of instruments to create a full band sound. The name for the collaboration kind of hints at the music: it’s easy going yet there might just be a well hidden harder core in there.

If you like your music played at a slow pace and with a reflective air then you will love this EP. It’s one to sit back and listen to, definitely not one that will have you dancing. And there is no denying the musical skill that Wall and Capaldi show in these four tracks.

The opening History: a memory is atmospheric and spacey. A lovely drum beat runs through it and the keyboards play a delicate melody beneath big, sweeping vocal harmonies. This one is haunting and moody, yet also chilled and lovely.

Another Chance has the same chilled vibe and there is a great combination between the two vocals, one high pitched and the other in a lower tone. Swirling electronic sounds build towards the end of the track, again over a strong drum beat and handclaps that give a rhythmic close.

Broken Circuits is my favourite track from the EP. A piano driven ballad with great vocals that are incredibly laid back and relaxed in tone. It’s a simpler arrangement than the others but somehow sounds bigger than it is. And check out the great video for the song, which we posted earlier this week.

Title track Hyperreality ends the EP. The opening high vocals set the scene before gentle guitar and keyboards come in. The track rushes by as the textured and multi-layered sounds build and fall. A current of wind closes the track with a geltle whoosh and the abrupt stop marks an end to sixteen minutes of fine, relaxed music.

In all honesty this isn’t the type of music I would normally listen to. But I really enjoyed its atmospheric and laid back tone. In the midst of a busy day this is the ideal time out, a soothing and melodic quartet of soft tracks that relax and reinvigorate.

Venue: Hyperreality EP
Support Band: Township Music