Declan Welsh and The Decadent West unleash Impermanency EP.
Declan Welsh and The Decadent West made a knockout return this week with their brand-new Impermanency EP. The fourpiece have been legends in the Glasgow scene for years now, well renowned as masters of their craft they are taking Scotland’s live circuit by storm and they have recently announced their biggest headline show to date at the historic Barrowland Ballroom on the 18th of November. The upcoming gig follows three phenomenal sell-out shows at King Tuts as well as their huge UK tour with Twin Atlantic back in May. This week they continue their impressive ascent with a brand-new EP marking a further sonic development for the group.
The record kicks off with existential post-punk title track ‘Impermanency’. Welsh previously mentioned the EP is the product of him learning to use production software during lockdown and after a few seconds its clear there is sonically a lot more going on here; the rumbling bass, euphoric guitars, loops and layered vocals create a moody atmosphere that is incredibly danceable at the same time. A guaranteed strength in any DW track is the lyrical content and as ever Welsh delivers. The single offers articulate lyrical reflections on the inevitability of death which gives life its value: “Impermanent, intelligent, interned within decay. Older every second every minute every day. Sentiment is reticent but time strips all away, so while I’ve any left at all ye know I’m gonna say”. This EP contains some of Welsh’s finest lyrics to date, showcasing his depth and song writing ability with his newly learned production abilities adding an extra layered element to the sound.
Also delivering post-punk energy is ‘Aw The Time’. This track keeps the up pace and maintains the mood created in the beginning of the record, however this time the lyrics capture that all-too-farmiliar feeling of insomnia. Again, Welsh’s poetic lyricism stands out: “As the sun rises callous in its ominous ballast / Again I lay awake / The birds aw despise ye, their songs should arise ye / Days end and days end and days break”. Beautiful stuff. Sonically the track matches the lyrical content as the instruments all merge together in a dizzying wall of sound. Again, this one has a real dance beat to it that will absolutely go off live.
The dirty dancefloor feels continue into simply structured ‘Slack Jaw’ which carries less of a lyrical narrative, Welsh mentioned previously its more of a word game which creates a feeling as opposed to telling a story. Sonically it wouldn’t sound out of place on a Baby Strange record which is a compliment of the highest order in my eyes! It’s a swaggeringly confident and incredibly raw addition to the EP.
‘Whatever Forever’ has been my new favourite DW track since I received the stream link. I don’t think there has been a single day I haven’t listened to it at least once over the last six weeks. It’s a massive grandiose five-and-a-half-minute love song with an atmospheric layered sound that builds as the track progresses. As ever the lyrics are beautiful; “whatever forever is / wherever it is you go / whatever is left of me / is yours to keep you know”. Also, the lyric about sweeping you off your socks always makes me laugh. Ends on a massive solo with gorgeous vocal harmonies. It’s a sweet, sentimental, arena ready ending to the record.
Overall, the Impermanency EP is yet another knockout release from a quartet who continue to cement their originality with each new release. Lyrically masterful, the EP is some of Welsh’s finest poetic lyricism. It’s very easy to get emotionally invested in this band. We will be waiting patiently to hear album number two which is apparently not far away from being finished! Follow Declan Welsh and The Decadent West on all the socials to keep up to date with future releases and stream the EP below.