by Giliann Karon (@whoreby_parker)
It’s been two years since Spirit of the Beehive released ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH to critical acclaim. After honing in on their skills, they haven’t changed a thing. On their new EP, I’m So Lucky, blood-curdling screams over abrasive textures stir up dissonance and paranoia. As uneasy as it is to listen to, they make it worth every second through rich layers and dazzling samples. As the “Philly shoegaze” landscape and subculture begin to crystallize, Spirit of the Beehive continues to hold their own.
The EP’s title is a testament to the band’s strength following a breakup between Zack Schwartz and fellow vocalist Rivka Ravede, who had been together for over ten years. "I don't know if anybody was sure we would continue doing the band. But then we sorted it out slowly and we just all wanted to get back to work," Schwartz explained in a press release.
“It’s not that these songs are simpler: They’re just different and have more space, more room to breathe,” said Schwartz. We’ve been trying to make some of the newer stuff less maximalist and just focus on what we can accomplish live,” he continued.
Opener “Human Debenture” hides behind breezy and metallic elements before unraveling into hysteric snarls. Spirit of the Beehive has mastered their deceptive formula of beginning with something eerie yet still accessible, then devolving into an artful cacophony. It’s not for everyone and they don’t care. After crawling out of sticky basements into mainstream indie circles, why should they?
“Tapeworm” immediately plunges into discomfort. The dreary vocals exist on a separate plane from the quarreling instrumentals. Discordant guitar and fuzzy squeals evoke the terrifying feeling of sitting in the passenger seat while the driver is flooring it. As quickly as the song ramps up, it cools down with serene piano. For eleven fidgety minutes, you’re trapped in their cryptic world, complete with sonic twists and turns at every corner. I’m So Lucky is enough to appease devoted fans while introducing new listeners to their dynamic catalog.