Surreal Appeal - Gently Deranged

by Nicky Crewe

published: 5 / 5 / 2021

Label: Surreal Appeal
Format: LP

New release from Sheffield based three piece group Surreal Appeal, bringing their electronic psychedelic sensibilities to an intriguing collection of songs.

Review

On June 4th Surreal Appeal will be releasing their new album, ‘Gently Deranged’, both digitally and on lathe cut vinyl limited editions. This approach to the release of this new material encapsulates the contrasts and contradictions within their music, committed to both electronic psychedelia and the authenticity of old style record production. Surreal Appeal formed in 2019. Tracy Deakin, Sophie Toes and Grace Griffin had all worked together within Cuckoo Clocks, one of the most interesting contemporary psychedelic bands to come out of Sheffield. Between the idea of a collaboration and the reality of a record release a lot has happened. Not only a global pandemic to adjust to, but more personal transformations including the arrival of a baby. Following in a Sheffield tradition of northern electro, with influences as diverse as Silver Apples, the United States of America and Flying Lizards, they have created a very contemporary form of electronic psychedelia. The vocal arrangements are dark, beautiful, and often haunting. There’s an intriguing contrast between the digital beats and the subversive messages in the lyrics. Sometimes it’s dance music, other times it throws you off balance in a disarmingly sinister way. The titles of the songs should make you feel uneasy, ‘Do As You’re Told’, ‘Responsibilities’, ‘Dangerous Dependency’. These are lyrics you need to listen to, for all the distraction of the instrumentation. I was reminded of the impact of Lavinia Blackwall’s voice with Trembling Bells’ music, and even the contrast between Grace Slick’s voice and Jefferson Airplane’s lyrics. ‘Gently deranged’ may be one way of describing what they do, but don’t underestimate the impact of their music.