Gunship - Gunship - 2x LP Vinyl

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SKU:c0016055 ,UPC:

Info

SKU:
c0016055
UPC:
192641062872

Specifications

Batch, Album, Artist, Format,

Specifications

Album:
Gunship
Artist:
Gunship
Format:
12" Vinyl
UPC:
192641062872

Description

Gunship is the synthwave/pop side-project of Alex Westaway (the non-Charlie Simpson vocalist/guitarist) and Dan Haigh (bassist) of UK rock/post-hardcore band Fightstar, formed while on hiatus since 2009’s ‘Be Human’.

From the neon-oozing, Mega Drive-parodying artwork, to the VHS effects on the videos, to the fantastically tacky effects on their website, it is clear that Gunship were built for 1989 before even the opening bars of the album ring out. But herein lies a question – given the obvious worship to this era, is there any depth hiding behind this unashamed lack of subtlety" Or is ‘Gunship’ (like a seemingly endless legion of modern comics) merely content in acknowledging past pop culture without any further expansion?

Fortunately for the listener, very much the former.

First of all, the production on this album is absolutely pristine – every fuzzy, reverb-soaked layer of analogue synthesizer sounds perfectly placed in the mix, balanced by melodramatic drum patterns that always stay true to their influence rather than taking a more standard EDM trajectory. Westaway’s vocals have never been the strongest, but he finds a very good range here, allowing a more gentle delivery to come through that greatly suits him.

Lead single ‘Fly For Your Life’ features guest vocals from Stella La Page, sultrily playing off Westaway’s almost Bastille-esque choruses to create a startlingly atmospheric contrast to the vicious dogfight scenes of the video (seriously, check that *** out). While it’s hard to pick out particular highlights as such, tracks such as ‘Tech Noir’, ‘Pink Mist’ and ‘Kitsune’ display an almost alarming solemn maturity in songwriting against such a silly concept.

The 80’s synthwave movement undeniably shapes this record, but Gunship bring real talent and nous to avoid letting the songs grow in their own right rather than becoming caricatures. Gunship are to be applauded here for creating such a well-rounded novelty on the one hand, and a fantastic pop record on the other.
A1–GUNSHIPThe Mountain
A2–GUNSHIPRevel In Your Time
A3–GUNSHIPTech-Noir
B1–GUNSHIPShadow Fury
B2–GUNSHIPPink Mist
B3–GUNSHIPKitsune
C1–GUNSHIPBlack Sun On The Horizon
C2–GUNSHIPThe Hegemon
C3–GUNSHIPFly For Your Life
C4–GUNSHIPMaximum Black
D1–GUNSHIPTech-Noir (Carpenter Brut Remix)
D2–GUNSHIPRevel In Your Time (Miami Nights 1984 Remix)
D3–GUNSHIPBlack Sun On The Horizon (Makeup and Vanity Set Remix)
D4–Lionface (2)No Hope State (GUNSHIP Remix)