Knifeplay - Pearlty [CD]

Over atmospheric instrumentation expanded by cinematic structure and pacing, Pearlty presents Knifeplay somewhere between dream-pop influenced shoegaze and lofty slowcore, never fully committing to one or the other in its insistence on creating an immersive, organic world.

Originally released in 2019, Knifeplays vivid debut Pearlty documents songwriter Tj Strohmers expressions of early adulthood in what he describes as the journey from innocence to experience.

Written during a time of immense inspiration, Strohmer was able to peel himself away from detached nihilism, uncovering the physicality and therapeutic powers of songwriting. Newly emboldened by this discovery and the talented community surrounding him, Strohmer channeled this revelation into his work, taking Knifeplay from a bedroom experiment that merely wrote songs to a more substantial project with a purpose.

Pearltys various climactic passages, like those heard on the impressionist album opener Tears, envelop listeners in textured walls of distorted guitar and noisy breakdowns, a distinct hallmark of shoegaze but Knifeplays compositions go far beyond such conventions.

Also featured are downtempo compositions such as the tribute track Angel that call on a range of influences, from grunge to lofi pop, all the way back to slowcore. Layers of Strohmers falsetto lilt adorn the songs with another dimension of sentimentality, while rounding out the sonic vastness of the groups emotionally enrapturing style, lending impressive depth to the bands debut full-length.

1. Tears 2. Suffer 3. Feel U 4. Lover 5. Mirage 6. Specula 7. Held My Hand 8. Angel 9. Lemonhead 10. Bouquet

• Format Detail: CD, Digipak, Lyrics Sheet, Obi
• Format: CD
• Genre: Indie & Alternative