The Breakdown
Blending jangling, buoyant indie guitars with swirling electronics and pop melodies, high jump’s debut EP 001 showcases some fantastic writing and creative, wonderfully restrained musicianship.
Opening with the reverb soaked guitar line of ‘M2K’, the band gradually introduce electronic samples and atmospherics as a punching electronic beat and swelling bass enters. Topped with silky smooth falsetto vocals, the track captures an essence of Jungle and Glass Animals while layers of intricate melodies dance around displaying the band’s ethereal dream-pop songwriting approach.
Moving into the stylistic picked guitar and pop melodies of ‘Santos’ and ‘Avenue’ the band display a more bright and commercial side to their sound with relatable lyricism and vocals which sit forward in the mix. Emotive and full of depth musically, the bands ability to craft accessible yet intricate and interesting musicality shines.
‘Get This Down’ brings a sprawling mash of beats, synths and beats pulled together with pumping production and layered breathy vocal melodies comparable to Jai Paul.
The EP’s highlight ‘CLIIAL’ highlights what really makes the duo exciting, capturing some stunning instrumentation and musical choices. Elegant atmospheric production, tight electronic beats and really tasteful guitar and synth lines which complement the movement of the falsetto vocal line. Melancholic and floating with a swaying, swing of the beat, the track captures the same feel as dream-pop icons Beach House and Men I Trust.
Closing with the stripped, delicate and uplifting ‘Tide Away’, the EP floats into the ether with a pleasing sense of vibrancy and a buoyant joy carried through the atmospheric spheres of reverb at the end of the track.
A brilliant debut that showcases the bands ability to craft tracks with alternative ideas and compelling pop sensibilities, ‘001’ highlight high jump as one to watch. As the duo continue to grow, it’ll be interesting to see how their sound progresses and they venture into taking the project to a live audience.
Listen to the EP below:
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