EP REVIEW: Conceit – GILT
Though they’ve been a band since 2017, two-piece GILT really came into their own on 2021’s In Windows, Through Mirrors EP when drummer Ash Stixx stepped out from behind the kit and in front of the mic alongside guitarist/bassist Tyler Fieldhouse. Now, the two piece have crafted their second EP following this change in direction, Conceit; while Stixx handles vocal duties across the release, each song also features a guest vocalist – everyone from Shaolin G (UNITYTX) to Carson Pace of rising mathcore outfit THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS.
No strangers to hard themes, GILT tackle body and gender dysmorphia, mental health and more, with Conceit having been written and recorded in the wake of Stixx’s father’s death. That permeates the EP the whole way through, with each song being a vignette of a reaction to death. Opener Amethyst swirls gently into view, a soft lament at first but by the time Shaolin takes the helm it’s a scorching retelling of a mind in freefall. The TOUCHÉ AMORÉ comparisons come thicker and faster as the EP continues; The Shape Of Tools employs soft, rhythmic spoken word and anxious yelps with frenetic post-hardcore swirling round it, while Small Hollow opens quietly once more but still fraught with tension.
GILT’s emo sensibilities are as on display as ever, but the work done over the lockdowns to explore hardcore and post-hardcore further pay dividends, as do forays into the many literary and art school references littered throughout songs. The lyrics would sound pretentious anywhere else but the raw emotion they’re delivered with through Conceit lends an air of authenticity. Elsewhere, the panicked shouts of 209 sound a little less sincere but it’s swiftly rescued by Carson Pace’s stellar vocal spot that brings frantic howls akin to an auditory mental breakdown.
Closing with Trophy Hunter, a song that veers between more guttural roars and a shoegaze-laced chorus, Conceit delivers on its promise of evolution for the band. While they’re still very much in the shadow of their influences, it’s a raw and honest exploration of grief that’s compelling and its brevity ensures it never outstays its welcome. Despite such a short runtime, there are plenty of ideas packed in, even if not all of them quite land and it feels incongruous at times. Despite this, GILT mostly balance their previous work as well as flourishes of experimentation. Even if it’s not anything particularly new, Conceit is still a cathartic experience worth having.
Rating: 7/10
Conceit is set for release on May 6th via Smartpunk Records.
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