Review Summary: it's gleemin' time
Gleemer are in a weird place. On the one hand, they are to blame for some of the very best gaze of the past few years, as evidenced by Corey Coffman’s prolific production work as well as many acts trying to capture the calm, sparkly magic of his band’s sound. On the other hand, they aren’t exactly gaze superstars: while adored by those
who know, they seem content dropping small projects every once in a while and touring even less frequently. As such,
End of the Nail dropping in early December makes perfect sense. It’s been well over four years since Gleemer’s last full length: why not release eleven introverted, hazy indie rock tracks right when human entities with a life are preparing for holiday festivities and those without one are finalising their aoty-lists.
Moreover,
End of the Nail dares to be a grower. This album is not one of grand hooks and catchy moments: instead, it feels like a denser, more acoustic take on the band’s subtly unconventional songwriting tendencies. While each individual sound feels familiar, from the shimmering guitars to Coffman’s wonderfully detached vocals, Gleemer persistently find a way to twist the expected into something fresh. The sprawling “Silver Pin” transforms peaceful, acoustic textures into a gorgeously layered, grungy climax - the kind of conclusion that feels too organic to ascribe such a grand word to, but ultimately earns it by being entirely mesmerising in execution. Elsewhere, “Proving Honest” adopts a surprisingly oppressive tone, establishing its doom-y atmosphere by way of a slow, distorted riff that underscores the entire track. Ultimately, everything still sounds and
feels like a typical Gleemer venture, but the band take enough understated detours to warrant the repeated listens the album so clearly needs (and deserves).
If you’re looking for an excellent record that embraces all things nugaze, and synonymously all things Gleemer,
End of the Nail delivers. It’s almost infuriatingly consistent, with each track offering enough to dig into, but never too much to get overwhelmed by. Sure, it can be described as “just another Gleemer album”, but I’m delighted to take one of those any day of the month, any time of the year.
