Swimming - Ecstatics International

  by Andy Cassidy

published: 12 / 11 / 2011

---

Review

'Ecstatics International' is the second LP from Nottingham based electro five-piece Swimming. The album is an upbeat blend of swirling psychedelia, strident pop beats and inventive melodies all curated by lead singer John Sampson. Opening track, and first single, 'Neutron Wireless Crystal', opens the album in celebratory mood with understated synth backing in the verses giving way to a full-on electronic assault in the chorus. Sampson’s voice has a perfect balance of strength and fragility, and blends well with some fantastic harmonies in the chorus. The track is a slow-building wash of tingling electricity, a musical cyclone very much in the style of Panda Bear, and is a terrific opener. The opening bars of second track 'In Ecstatics' sound like an electronic calypso before giving way to another impressive cycle of looping and lilting vocals over a synth background. The third track, 'Mining for Diamonds', is one of the more straightforward pieces on the album. The track is based on what sounds like a heavily treated guitar loop with textures of vocal harmonies only just distinguishable in the background. This works very well, as the harmonies support the vocal without ever detracting from Sampson’s delivery. My favourite track on the album is the MGMT-esque 'Kid Global', which returns to the mood of elation of the opening track and builds on it with a catchy synth hook and a wonderfully layered production. Another particular highlight for me is the anthemic 'Classic 1001 Dreams' which seems to radiate joy from the speakers. Throughout the album I was struck by the similarities between Swimming and Panda Bear/Animal Collective; looping, near-overpowering washes of sound, swirling leads, and deeply realised textures. Many of the songs, when stripped of their electronic embellishments would probably be pretty straightforward rockers, but this for me is the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of the album – by virtue of their having been so radically transformed the songs somehow attain a quality which is missing from a great deal of today’s music. Take the track 'Beat Beat of Your Heartbeat' for instance. Strip away the electronic elements and you have a song which any arena band would be proud of. Not so, Swimming. Their desire to take the song to the next level is what sets them apart from the bland monsters of corporate rock. This is a really enjoyable album by a band who have a great deal to offer musically. Production-wise, it takes the commonplace and elevates it to the next level. Swimming has never been so much fun.

Track Listing:-

1 Neutron Wireless Crystal
2 In Ecstatics
3 Mining for Diamonds
4 Kid Global
5 I Do (Come True)
6 Sun in the Island
7 Fire at the Blue Point
8 Beat Beat of Your Heartbeat
9 Classic 1001 Dreams
10 All Things Made New (Stand)
11 Team Jetstream

Band Links:-

http://swimmingband.com/
http://swimmingband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/swimmingband
https://twitter.com/weareswimming

Label Links:-

http://tummytouchrecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TummyTouch
https://twitter.com/TummyTouch