ALBUM REVIEW: Hear- Temptress

TEMPTRESS returns with their sophomore record Hear. In a calculated and beautifully executed album the Texan trio delicately blends a rich concoction of doom, post-rock, grunge, and post-hardcore. In doing so the band stir the melting pot to serve up a generous helping of sublime, haunting and potent ethereal rock.

As you would expect from a three-piece, the guitar does most of the heavy lifting so naturally the riffs courtesy of Kelsey Wilson dominate the pace and drive of the record. From classic fuzz-laden chugging to echoing psychedelic pentatonic runs, the tone of the record resonates directly from the fretboard. Dark, brooding and whiskey-soaked, you can’t fault her sublime playing. Overall, it’s clear Kelsey has no intention of muddying the record with over-dynamic and overblown guitar playing. Falling just shy of face melting, it leaves enough room for the multitude of genres to rise to the surface.

Pair this with the uneasy and downright spooky lyrics of Kelsey and fellow vocalist/drummer Andi Cuba, there’s an ominous tension that lingers in the air as you digest the album. A type of tension where you’ll need something a little sharper than a knife to cut through the deliciously suffocating atmosphere.

There’s undoubtedly a lot to sink your teeth into on the record. But at the risk of being pedantic and paradoxical, the album’s greatest strength is bizarrely its greatest weakness. At times you may feel you’ve been unnecessarily teased. Though the riffs are fantastic, the band doesn’t stray from the path and in doing so, there’s a lack of energy to set the heart racing. Nor is it varied enough to truly blow your brains out.

Riding the ethereal wave is fun after all, but you may find yourself craving the sweet release that only a flurry of fuzzy riffs or a cathartic solo is capable of. Even a switch up of rhythms and speed could take the album to the next level. If we’re going to sound greedy, TEMPTRESS prefer to drip feed the listener rather than overindulge.

But on the other hand, to demand more is to misunderstand what TEMPTRESS are about. The reason the record draws you in is the band’s merciless ability to wield mouthwatering anticipation to do their bidding. Instead of slamming home a mammoth riff early doors, they choose to build and build so when you get what you’ve been begging for, it erupts rather than whimpers.

Penultimate track Downfall is a testament to the fact if you’re patient, you shall be rewarded. The hanging chords linger in your headphones while the most delicate of drumming saunters in the shadows. That is until a wild and winding guitar lick signals the onslaught of crashing cymbals and rampant drumming. As wailing guitars and chugging riffs come crashing around you and descend into spine chilling whispers, you get to revel in everything you were begging for from the start. It’s a shame we had to wait until the second to last track to see them switch it up.

So our advice for this album is don’t overthink TEMPTRESS. The album is best consumed whole. Allow time and space for the Texan three-piece to unravel the sonic landscape and in return you will experience a rich and indulgent record.

Rating: 6/10

Hear is out now via Blues Funeral Recordings. 

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