How many post rock bands have you heard that sing in Hindi? If the answer is zero then I’m sure you’re not alone, but after hearing ‘Zia’, the latest album from India’s Aswekeepsearching, it’s an experience that’s well worth repeating. Beautiful instrumentals in interesting timings, overlaid with vocals sung in a foreign language, automatically brings Sigur Ros to mind but that’s certainly no bad thing and the band are able to stand up against such well-known company.
The delicate, oddly timed pattern that introduces ‘And Then Came Spring’ sets you up well for what’s to come. The drums march in with a tribal-like rhythm on the toms, building up the atmosphere until the first wave of vocals blend in. Presented in the band’s native language, the vocal direction is a beautiful match for the atmospheric music and gives the track an indulgent, exotic feel.
Aswekeepsearching continue to build layers as the record progresses. ‘Sleep // Awake’ opens with a 5/4 synth pattern overlaid with tabla drums, later accompanied by a sitar, which further broadens the interesting musical palette with additional sounds and textures. The mid-point of the song deviates from this to land on a more solid, recognisable post-rock sound not dissimilar to Explosions in the Sky, until tabla drums again take it to unknown territory. The tasteful balance of eastern and western sounds makes the record as rewarding a cultural journey as a musical one.
The vocals continue on ‘Uns’ and despite not being able to understand what’s being said, the melody is unmistakable. The vocals have a rich tone and the execution is perfectly in context with the instrumentals, making them another fine string on an already accomplished bow. This becomes more literal on ‘Reminiscence’, where a string section adds yet another texture and interesting direction.
Aswekeepsearching could get by on intrigue alone, the Hindi vocals and wide array of instruments giving them enough reason to be checked out before a note has been heard. These unique aspects of the band are no gimmicks though; the songwriting skill involved in marrying all of these elements together to form one cohesive package is a marvel in itself. This intriguing post rock record is enhanced by the cultural elements, rather than solely relying on them and the subtlety of these influences makes the blend of east and west a perfect marriage of sounds that makes ‘Zia’ a wonderfully fresh, unique and rewarding record. Not only should this record put Aswekeepsearching on people’s radar, it also acts as a fine ambassador for bands coming out of India – with music this good, it may just encourage a further look into what else is lurking in the region. On the basis of ‘Zia’, it could be quite a journey.
MARK JOHNSON