ninehertz

Many of the best releases of this year have eschewed a linear genre conforming approach. That’s not too much of a surprise – the thrills of experimentation should be the lifeblood of music, but the consistent quality of those with this attitude has been noticeable this year. Breaths provide a perfect example with Violescent, a solo artist with a mission to pursue “raw, radiant emotion” come where may. It makes for a compelling album.

It is clear from the first song, The Worm. Experimental hardcore with noise-rock, post hardcore, a faint (acceptable-face-of) nu-metal and some goth synth backing, it is wildly eclectic. The vocal approach changes too, nicely sung to begun, then getting darker so they’re practically black metal at one point. It is hard to pin down, but that’s the point – even listing the genres here feels like heresy, but they serve a purpose in highlighting its vast range.

Further in I hear some stoner rock at one point, gothic post-punk another, the latter like a heavier version of Mol or even Beastmilk. There are hefty chunks of doom littered throughout, the superb Earth Moves bringing reminders of Slomatics, Yob and Elephant Tree, while NeverEnder’s booming opening recalls very specifically Black Shape of Nexus’ song 400H in how it instantly aims to knock you over. Opening tracks instantly with a massive, catchy riff is a welcome common theme across the album.

It closes with a cover of Placebo’s Every You, Every Me ensuring the golden rule of covers is met (make it sound different from the original) by covering it in a tar of doom, unrecognisable save for the vocals and lyrics. It is an atypical way to end an album, but then it is clear by now that Breaths hold no candle to convention. It’s not perfect, the cross-genre contaminations sometimes not quite working, but that merely feels like an inevitable consequence of its boldness, and for the majority this feels fresh, exciting and excellent.