Thelma Ball – My Other (2022)
With their new release ‘My Other’, Thelma Ball continue their exploration of the grey areas of the human experience. Delving into the parts of the world that are hidden under confidence and self-assurance, they offer a wonderful commentary on modern life. The contemplative flows of their music are given a blast of life through the charming energy of their music.
Plucking the best elements of rock sub-genres, the band shines a light on the soft underbelly of the world, without a hint of pretence. Impassioned and raw, yet undeniably sophisticated, their sound is one that haunts you in the dark night, making you want to listen to them again and again. Having supported Alien Tango and Time for T, the band have gained their well-earned reputation as a great rock outfit.
‘My Other’ has an interesting opening that brings a ripple of tones and a depth of beat. The layering of the track is rather intense as it brings a contrasting view of light and dark. The rippling overtones are the glittering lights, while the deeper beats have a darkness to them. This perfectly creates the contemplation of the band’s sound as it tempers the good in life with the darker underbelly. As you are caught in the space between the melodic layers, your feet are going to be tapping to the rhythm. As the melodic bridge hits, the guitars trill with a new energy that vibrates through your senses. It is a rather addictive instrumental section that twirls you around, before tossing you back into the vocals. Woven into the immerse flows of the music is a charming energy that keeps you listening and wanting to hear more from them.
While the melody is sweeping through your senses, the vocals ride the waves the music creates. The contrasts of the melody creep into the vocal performance. The delivery of the vocals is slightly depressed with a weight clinging to it, but there is a sense that things could become lighter. There is a raw energy resting in the lower levels of the performance that is just waiting to overtake your senses. Following the bridge, the vocals grab your hands and twirl you into the contemplations of the lyrics. At times, the vocals drag with lethargy, feeling like moving forward is too hard and the monotony of the world is getting to them. The band has brought a wonderful juxtaposition of emotions and thoughts to life, keeping you engaged from start to finish and shocked when it all comes to an end.
Through the intense layered melody of ‘My Other’, Thelma Ball dive into the space between the light and dark sides of life, contemplating the grey lethargy that rests there. Both the melody and vocals bring the contrasts of the track to life with a wonderful mastery. The interplay is subtle, creating the greyscale that rests below the masks of self-assurance people wear.
Find out more about Thelma Ball on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
