Envy - Abyssal

  by Paul Raven

published: 8 / 11 / 2007

Label: Rock Action Records
Format: CDS

intro

Thoughtful and passionate hardcore on latest EP from Japanese outfit Envy, who are signed to Mogwai's Rock Action Records

Envy have been performing their idiosyncratic take on experimental rock music since 1992, but since being taken under the wing of post-rock legends Mogwai they've been brought to wider attention. To judge by the 'Abyssal' EP, that's not a moment too soon. As might be expected, Envy share some sonic qualities with their champions; there are plenty of lush soundscapes to be explored, painted with shimmering clean guitar chords and sparse drumming that float as if just out of reach. But Envy's work is based on contrast – a contrast that arises from the afore-mentioned delicate textures standing shoulder to shoulder with crushing sections of heavy guitar and percussive bludgeon, rounded off with vocalist Tetsuya Fukagawa bellowing over the top like a man possessed. In total, all things are balanced out ... but in the heat of the moment, as you listen, you can only focus on the now. Only after each track is finished is the grand plan apparent – a plan of great subtlety. There's a definite heads-down seriousness to this EP. The majority of better-known bands from Japan have built their reputations on their mad-cap reinterpretations of Western pop music forms, but Envy appear to be more interested in forging their own path than reflecting the work of others. Intricate, thoughtful, passionate and extremely engaging, the Abyssal EP is a spectacular piece of work that blends power and subtlety to great effect, a yin-yang balance of two seemingly contradictory impulses. Let Envy show you both sides of the coin.

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