Gurriers – ‘Come And See’ album review: a hypnotic and beautiful helping of chaos
THE SKINNY: Gurriers look you in the eye as they shake your hand on their new album, Come And See. A beautiful contradiction, as this simple record, which relies on guitar, drums and vocals, is intricate, noisy and deeply layered. What is, without a doubt, a punk album on the surface is also a great example of how important spacing and variety are in any record to make big moments feel bigger.
A lot of albums of this calibre are 100 miles an hour from start to finish, but this is the wrong way to approach it. It makes the listener numb to what’s happening a quarter of the way through and begins to sound boring and repetitive. Gurriers are unrelenting in their dedication to punk, noise and chaos, but they also strip songs back and play with tempos and vocals so that tracks follow a similar theme but are also distinctive from one another.
The record doesn’t just rely on high energy. The breakdown on songs like ‘Close Call’ is comparable to the likes of ‘Whole Lotta Love’, as a drawn-out and eerie atmosphere is created, which means the big moments in this record feel even more so. The band are not only experts at making this kind of music but also at presenting it in a way that continues to blow the listener away again and again.
Come And See is a treat from start to finish. An album that deserves repeat listens and will undoubtedly be exciting to experience live. It’s raw and emotional with a lot to say and the tested gaul to say it. It’s a heavy dose of just about everything, and a little triumph for the genre.
For fans of: Listening to punk music in the middle of a twister.
A concluding comment from a thunderstorm: “I love this album because it really captures my sound beautifully and poetically.”
Come And See track by track
Release: September 12th | Label: No Filter | Producer: Alex Greaves
‘Nausea’: The first song immediately lets listeners know whether or not they will be into this album. It’s a messy blend of distorted guitars, sirens, harsh drums and off-kilter vocals. A perfect mesh of gritty chaos. Loud and unsettling. A treat throughout. [4/5]
‘Des Goblin’: One of the easiest beats to get lost in. A low rumbling guitar, upbeat and funky drums and lyrics that ride the instrumentation incredibly well. For a noisy piece of music, the sound is also incredibly cohesive, coming together in an exciting way that makes you want to dance. [3.5/5]
‘Dipping Out’: A slightly cleaner-sounding song. Influences of rock and roll and indie can be heard on this track which is a little more accessible but keeps the high energy of the album. This is also reflected in the vocals, which are given more room to move and shine, as they are almost sun acapella with minimal instrumentation in the background. An easy song to nod your head to. [4/5]
‘Prayers’: A slow and brooding riff underlays spoken word. This narrative-driven song is the break in proceedings we need in this high-energy album. A moment to breathe, reflect and ponder while we catch our breath. It’s a well-written number and comes at the right time. By the time the heavy outro comes along, we’ve been subject to a more minimalist track enough that it really hits. [4.5/5]
‘Close Call’: I’m not sure how to describe the instrumentation at the beginning of this track. It’s a drum beat and then what sounds like a car revving up; it’s peculiar but incredibly fun. The high-powered chorus of “close call” begs for a small, sweaty venue and people bumping into each other. It’s an impactful tune that screams fun. [3.5/5]
‘No More Photos’: We’re back into noise rock with this song. It sounds like the Beastie Boys are being dragged through a meat grinder, and it’s a joy from start to finish. The repeated guitar riff of strings dragged up and down the fret is a treat, and the lyrics are the kind that you want to sit down, learn and scream at the top of your lungs. [4/5]
‘Interlude’: A serene orchestral break point. A lovely track and another hiatus, the band continue to show they understand the importance of giving the listener room to breathe amongst the noise.
‘Top Of The Bill’: Plucked oscillating guitar and sporadic drums provide the backbone of this track, which steadily builds into a screamed and emotive outro. It feels angsty, but in the best possible way, it is a song you want to revisit and keep revisiting. [3.5/5]
‘Sign Of The Times’: This feels like one of the most punk songs on the album. It’s the clearest we hear the vocals, as they permeate the instrumentation and every word is heard clearly, packed with attitude. The chorus is simple but heavy, with more picks dragged across strings, a sound which is becoming delightfully synonymous with this record. [4/5]
‘Approachable’: It’s clear the band isn’t letting up for the second half of the album. Since the interlude, each song has been energy-driven, heavy and aggressive. We are on the final sprint, and that means Gurriers are pummelling you with every piece of noise that they can muster. It’s a feeling that you know you’ll miss once the record is over, as the undeniable force of this music is truly stunning. [4/5]
‘Come And See’: The titular track and album closer. The band really go all in with this swansong, which feels like a rock ballad, with a slow introduction that builds to a heavy release. It’s full-bodied and stands as a representation of everything that stands out in the album. It’s also the best vocal performance on the record. [5/5]
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