Review Summary: Curl up in the warmth of the desert...
Untitled Shortcut is a temporary pseudonym cloaking the third outing by UK rock trio Deep Sands – that is, until it’s eventual release on the 18th of August, at which point it will be replaced by its true title. Feeling more comfortable than ever with their stoner-meets-alternative style, this neat collection of relaxed and groove-laden tracks marks the band's most cohesive effort to date. Furthermore, in an inventive effort to promote physical music formats and the direct support of musicians, the group have opted to drip feed the album to the public by releasing each of its five tracks at a rate of one per month leading up to its official release. For those who wish to take the “fast lane” and hear it in its entirety before then, the band allow you to do so by purchasing the disc directly. It's a unique approach, and of course the songs here do indeed benefit from the context provided by their brethren.
Opening this mini album is the relatively modest ‘I Am Lost and Golden’ which eases listeners into Deep Sand’s fuzzy atmosphere. Driven by the rhythmic backbone supplied in tandem by the punchy drumming and sublime bass lines, the percussive guitar riff at its centre ends up being quite catchy in its simplicity. Helped along by the clear production and mixing present ‘...Golden’ boasts a lush soundscape which perfectly accentuates the subtle adornments and details scattered throughout in addition to ensuring every member of this ensemble sounds full and crisp. Following from this track, though, is undoubtedly the highlight of
Untitled Shortcut. Leading with a heavy guitar riff filled with swagger and an unmistakable attitude, ‘Grunt of the Hunt’ displays a captivating application of dynamics and an infectious rhythm. Stylistically it leans a lot closer to stoner rock sensibilities than its predecessor, and whilst it never becomes too aggressive or thick, the balance achieved here is perhaps the best example of Deep Sand’s style at work.
Elsewhere the album indulges in more subtle numbers such as ‘Wavelength’, which takes about two minutes of warming up with gentle melodic swells before it breaks into a memorable treble-y guitar riff that sounds smooth as glass against the backing beat. Unfortunately the build up pushes the point a little too far for my taste, and I feel as though it wouldn't hurt to shave a little time from its duration. I share this sentiment with both of the following tracks too. Perhaps a snappier approach would be slightly preferable, given its successful application on ‘Grunt of the Hunt’. ‘Over and Over’ is one example which might appreciate a more direct approach, and although the pay-off is definitely worth it, the first section of the song feels a little
too relaxed and in need of some spice. The vocals in the latter half contribute to a more interesting experience, and in fact throughout the album they provide a variety of moods without ever feeling overbearing or too prevalent.
‘Without You Lately’ is structured roughly opposite to ‘Over and Over’ in that it starts off strongly and then tapers out towards its conclusion. With a resonating guitar riff, biting vocals, and a lively rhythm section it’s one of the strongest performances here, however it is hindered by a bloated run-time, causing it to suffer a tad from recycled ideas. Surely repetition and a sense of lethargy are hallmarks of the stoner rock sub-genre, but balance is key of course, and regrettably multiple listens reveal this weakness more readily than an ephemeral one. It would be folly to dwell on that of course, as there’s so much more to like about
Untitled Shortcut, and hearing the band's evolution from their debut EP to this release paints an even more promising trajectory for future material. These three musicians have not only refined their style, but also manage to sound extremely natural as a collective, and that chemistry shines through as they lock into the bouncy rhythms pumping at the heart of this record. Whenever it may come, I anticipate the follow up to
Untitled Shortcut, because I know it will be delivered from a band with plenty of sand left at the top of their hourglass, and proven potential to match.
