Pyncher may have started their career as many others in this race – a student band with great ambitions – but they have kept honing their sound and growing steadily since then, and the steady flow of single releases they have been gracing their audience with during this late Spring is the best possible proof of this growth.
Most of all, it is the perfect showcase of what exactly Pyncher have that makes them stand out: they have true range. Using the noise-oriented profile of their early work as a foundation, they have then added elements of psych and prog rock, and now, with their latest single, ‘At The Seaside’, they are moving in yet another different direction, throwing a curveball that surprises and delights in equal measure.
The track has overall a slower pace, although some of the band’s favourite quirks of structure make an appearance once again: this is not the only song in their repertoire that appears to move in waves, ebbing and flowing in intensity, picking up pace only to grow still once again – although it does so in a more striking fashion than predecessors like 'Space Rocket Simulator', and the moments of stillness are stretched out and explored in even more depth. The result is an overall more contemplative, even somber mood, which tiptoes into shoegaze territory: a comparison immediately comes to mind, for instance, with the latest releases by bdrmm, which have a similar balance of somewhat dark-tinged contemplation and fine-tuned noise. 'At The Seaside' is not quite pure shoegaze – its more lively guitar parts have the restless quirkiness that is a quintessential element of the sound Pyncher have been working on – but it shows the band’s willingness to step into new territories and be comfortable exploring them.
This is not the only risk Pyncher have taken with this track. With their lyrics consistently a strength throughout their repertoire, given their ability to use poetic imagery to their advantage, it was perhaps inevitable that sooner or later the vocals would become a focus point for one of their tracks – and this one is an excellent space to do so, with the slowed-down pace making the whole song more breathable. Here we have two sets of vocals, with bassist Brittany Dewhurst offering a well-matched counterpart to the smooth lead vocals of Sam Blakeley, which have also grown more confident over the recent flurry of singles. There is a DIY element in the way those parts were recorded, with the use of vintage equipment resulting in a sound that is less polished but more evocative, almost with a Roy Orbison twist in places – definitely an unexpected sound for this type of track, but one that blends seamlessly with the trademark Pyncher pace changes and quick-fingered guitars.
With recent accolades from the likes of BBC Radio 6 and a steady series of live appearances in their calendar, it is quite clear that Pyncher’s momentum is showing no sign of slowing down. Their ability to explore an ever growing range of different sounds is also guaranteed to keep their growing audience on its collective toes – with each release raising the bar a little further, it is impossible to even guess at what we can expect next.
Chiara Strazzulla
Image: 'At The Seaside' Official Single Cover
