ninehertz

In the decade or more of their existence, Endless Floods have provided a consistent, warming presence across a number of albums, evolving as they go from the long form ambient doom drone of their early days to incorporate a more ethereal and cinematic presence.

There are four tracks on Passages, still all around ten minutes long, yet brisk in comparison to the twenty minute plus epic soundscapes of shoegazing drone of the likes of II and Circle the Gold. Musically there is a change, but it is through a natural growth and evolution, a sense of a band who, from an excellent starting position already have then developed their understanding of who they are and grown naturally to this point.

It is a beautiful album, described as a combination of “post-rock, progressive doom and dark folk”, an accurate indicator but one that doesn’t tell of the life within it nor the allure generated. The vocals are a stunning constant, evidenced immediately on the opening Visions, an ethereal accompaniment to the shimmering noises. They aim for something grand throughout but do so unpretentiously, ending up sounding unlike any one comparison, to the album’s great credit.

I do think of an art-rock SubRosa, an organic Locrian or the light optimistic end of doom of Royal Thunder at points, but these are at specific points, varied and probably a stretch to try and place it in some comparable context. The music can speak better for itself. Liminal is lush with a bright, early morning spring day calm, whispering folk in its early stages turning steadily towards a ghostly atmosphere which adorns a mystical shroud before a heavier drive near its close turns it towards a harsher, doomier outlook.

Primordial’s smooth synths could be of a soundtrack, its minimal approach allowing room for the delicate vocals to shine again, building to a restrained yet euphoric crescendo. Every track tells its own little story, every one a delight, although Deuxiéme Monde stands out, residing between the rays of light between post-rock, shoegaze and doom.

That Passages is such an excellent record is of no surprise – from the first time crossing their path on II to the superb Rites Futurs of a couple of years ago, they are a model of consistency in terms of their quality. Yet this new album’s warmth and joy still holds the power to amaze.