REVIEW

The second EP from Bristol dream pop band Night Swimming.

Formed by Meg Jones (vocals), Sam Allen (guitar), Jesse Roache (guitar), Josh Nottle (bass), and Torin Moore (drums), the quintet draws inspiration from Radiohead, Beach House, London Grammar, Portishead, and Massive Attack. Their sound blends the airy textures of dream pop and shoegaze with the shadowy atmosphere of trip hop. Hazy vocals and delicately shimmering guitars evoke the ethereal beauty of classic 4AD releases, while a more adventurous rhythmic approach gives the songs greater depth and dynamic range. Tinged with unmistakable British melancholy, the melodies unfold with the immersive quality of a cinematic scene.

Opening track #1 “Nothing Safe Is Technicolour” continues the band's signature dreamlike aesthetic. Beneath its graceful melodies, an undercurrent of unease slowly emerges, allowing a quiet nocturnal atmosphere to seep through the arrangement.

#2 “Submarine” opens with a delicate introduction that gently dissolves into the stillness of the night before plunging, as the chorus arrives, into ever-deeper waters of melancholy.

On #5 “Dark Clouds,” a five-beat groove creates a subtle sense of tension. Even after the break, the pulse remains unchanged as a slow, dreamlike melody unfolds, showcasing the band's refined ability to balance light and shadow within their arrangements.

Highly recommended for fans of the recent work of bdrmm, Just Mustard, and White Flowers.