CIEL have launched their debut EP, Not In The Sun, Nor In The Dark. Me being a rubbish music blogger hadn’t heard much from the Brighton trio until ‘Back To The Feeling’ dropped, and now they’re firmly on my radar. Released under Jazz Life, the first complete offering from CIEL is dark and exciting.
So what made ‘Back To The Feeling’ so exciting? Well, the EP’s opener gets underway with a dirty bassline. Like, properly dirty. It immediately transports you into this dark alleyway as it takes you on a high-speed chase for more gritty instruments. This comes in the form of the chorus, which erupts with a booming set of guitars and harmonies to really satisfy the ears. It sounds groovy and powerful, setting the rest of the EP up nicely.
‘Fine Everything’ follows with a perfect illustration of the “I’m fine” mood. While it tries to remain calm and composed on the surface, the tension begins to bubble as soon as the drums get going. As they rise in volume, the guitars fly off the handle with another display of heavy riffs. I love how pent up they sound, sounding totally on-edge throughout against the just-about cool vocals. This contrast bleeds through ‘Baby Don’t You Know’, which innocently lyrics of feeling so low while the vocals and the synths sound so upbeat.
Not In The Sun, Nor In The Dark is a fantastic EP. It has a sound that’s steeped in distorted moods yet shines with hooks throughout. I feel it excels the most in its heaviest moments, but they’re complimented by the trio’s more atmospheric side too. There’s a solid mix of variation involved, and that makes it a genuinely great listen. CIEL have delivered hugely with their first complete offering.