EP Review: male//gaze - Too Late Now
Reviewed by Dan Barnes
It’s been more than two-and-a-half years since Washington state’s male//gaze released their Red Shoes EP, but the wait is almost over and its follow-up, Too Late Now, is sitting waiting in the wings. Said to be intended as a cathartic exploration of memory, loss and self-acceptance, addressing themes such as trauma, healing and identity, Too Late Now is a six-track invitation from the band to join them on a journey of discovery, looking inward, rather than out, with a view to reclaiming a lost self.
Heavy themes, indeed, and reflected in the music’s introspective shoegaze, synth pop-infused post hardcore sound. Referred to by the band themselves as either extreme pop or hyperpunk, the record is a far less arduous listen than the subject matter would suggest.
After the footsteps and windchimes of the intro, we’re introduced to a melancholic piano, and the mournful voice of singer, Ash, as she elicits heartbreak from the simple structure. Warm waves of music from electronic instruments join, building into a more uplifting piece.
Get Well continues the indie sound and alternate vibes, adding a few edgy pop moments to the stirring chorus. Yet something lurks beneath, for low in the mix one can hear an aggression and a developing harsh percussion, growing as the tune becomes more urgent and more intense.
Drummer Spencer and bassist Gavin cut loose on the short but aggressive Hyperpunk, which is about as abrasive as Too Late Now gets, still danceable through skipping rhythms and sweeping passages. Slaymixxing is ninety-seconds of sonic violence, visited by an adherence to dance beats, fierce and frenzied, yet never straying far from the pop sensibilities and somehow able to maintain the EP’s organic sound, despite the use of electronics.
The record really comes into its own on the two longer tracks: Soft Quiet and Speak (For Me), which utilises male//gaze’s use of ambience and emotion to great effect. Opening with ghostly whispers and an ethereal pulse, Soft Quiet is occasionally punctuated by harsh drums and swells of instrumentation. It’s steady and unflinching, and even the frenzied moments carry with them a sense of regret.
Speak (For Me) is Too Late Now’s magnum opus, as it demonstrates every facet of a band firing on all cylinders. Guitarist Hank and Ray use a clean sound, and Ash’s vocals take on a more haunted feel, turning folksy at times, laying a platform for a soulful solo, giving everything a modern progressive sound.
Although Too Late Now is ultimately about memory and healing, it doesn’t mean there aren’t enough moments of joy and even playfulness to be heard. The shoegaze textures and synth-pop melodies blend in perfect harmony, allowing for a more aggressive energy to rear its head from time to time.
It’s unlikely to be the most aggressive collection of songs you’ll hear this year, but it might just be the most emotionally wrought one. Male//gaze seem to have spent their time away well, let’s hope their healing is successful, and anyone ready to take the journey with them.
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