by Kris Handel
Dancer, the jittery and groove filled eponymous EP for the Scotland based post-punk band, artfully shifts tempos as the band bounce around each other with energy. This record sounds like some weird mix involving the angular guitar of Joan of Arc, Goat Girl, and Wild Beasts smashed together with a playful artiness that is absorbing. Dancer are unafraid of throwing in some winking humor as there are a bunch of in-jokes and references, musically and lyrically, that bring more depth to their songs than is apparent on the surface. The willingness to experiment and push themselves as musicians drives these songs and there is a bit of an innocence amongst the snickering and bite that is evident throughout.
On a song like "Disposable Vape" guitars jut around chiming yet spiky, and a rhythm section of a punchy bass weaves around the somewhat mathy and oddly glam-ish melody. This song is full of stops and starts and arpeggios that ring out in between a bobbing groove that devolves into a snaking rhythm and flitting vocals, occasionally morphing into wordless exclamations. "Telemark" is a vehicle fo the band to stretch their sound out a bit as the pace slows down and the jangle is ramped up a notch through the somewhat mournful songwriting. The vocals take on a more urgent tone as they swoop between notes and guitars squeal around, full of nerves and mild confusion.
This EP shows a band that has a lot of tricks in their bag and a willingness to pull them out at unexpected moments, captivating and always unique. Their ability to play around each others manic slithering yet maintain ear-worm melodies is something immediate and worth applauding. Even when Dancer get feisty there is still an underlying playfulness to ease the blow, the mix of vinegar and a spirited tenderness is attention grabbing. Dancer is full of entertainment on a number of levels especially when they up the creativity without straying too far from their true heart and the inspired energy that drives their buzzing and jagged tunes.