Rising from a unique spell of jazz guitar and lo-fi electronica, The Double Headed Seagulls’ EP, ‘Play Artful,’ feels like a rebirth. The seeds for this project were sown years ago, in the discarded cassette recordings from The Double Headed Seagull’s 2011 record, ‘Slimline’. While that album was a serious, often noisy affair, ‘Play Artful’ is a complete departure in tone, a burst of energy and melodic imagination that feels like a playful, joyous statement.
It's a playful, eclectic, and wonderfully textured ode to how old recordings can be manipulated and rearranged to create something completely new. Caught between deft fusions of digital synthesizers, direct-to-interface guitars, and vibrant real-time feedback, it echoes the work of masters like Brian Eno, Radiohead, and Four Tet, creating a world torn between styles. The result is a captivating and whimsical listen, the musical equivalent of a child with a box of crayons, happily drawing on the walls while their parents watch with amused affection.
‘Full Oxford’, the first track on the EP, develops like a well-written narrative. It starts off in an area of serene calm before bringing in a daring, low-end element that strides purposefully forward, slowly creeping into frame and becoming part of the overall sound. With each listen, the music takes you on a beautiful and inquisitive journey that becomes more intricate and captivating over time.
‘Play Artful’, the EP's title track, is its stylistic centrepiece. It's a happy anthem for getting back in touch with a more carefree era; stripping away life’s noise to reconnect with simpler times. It’s a song that feels like the culmination of Dave’s influences thanks to its deftly woven percussion and expansive style.
In the latter half, ‘One Pot Screamer’, arrives as a brief but potent track that lasts just over a minute. The quality of the music and production is undeniable, and while brief, it’s light shines brightly, bursting into life to deliver a powerful and impactful composition.
In the closing moments, ‘Doss Money’ delivers a more reflective experience, shifting between changing textures and instrumentals. It’s a song that gets under your skin and lets you imprint your own ideas upon it, building steadily and purposefully, and leading you to a powerful and memorable end.
While just four tracks long, ‘Play Artful’ is undeniably complex, creating a captivating sonic experience that doesn’t lack depth or flavour. In a landscape filled with heavy themes, ‘Play Artful’ stands out as a delightful and surprising artistic statement that is well worth exploring.
For more from The Double Headed Seagulls, be sure to check out the band on Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp.
Play Artful by The Double Headed Seagulls