Variety rules
Rayographs self-titled debut album has a ton of ideas and influences colliding and manages to feel nostalgic and timeless at the same time. There is a strong vein of blues running throughout, the production is full of echoes, so all the tracks feel like they've been played in a huge open space; Nick Cave springs to mind, as do The Breeders, however the Rayographs sound is very much their own.
Strong female vocals take the lead, varied instrumentation backs them; here and there a 60s psychedelic twang appears, some tracks are sparse with spoken vocals and meandering guitar, like a quiet jam session, others are full and use distorted guitars and washes of cymbal. The subtly layered 'Cartwheels' melds lovely strings, a simple guitar riff and vocals with minimal percussion to great effect and jammed up next to it for comparison is the fast paced and fuzzy 'Marazion'.
The variety on offer is one of the best features of the record (nonetheless it has a wholly cohesive sound), one moment almost ethereal, minimal and even cinematic, with an expansive dreamy quality, then loud and ripe with the possibility of a full on psychedelic wig out the next and sporting foot stomping bluesy beats, it's a winning combination of moods and one the band manage to bring together with seemingly little effort. This is an undeniably interesting and nuanced record, one which requires a few listens to fully appreciate; it drips with atmosphere and will get under your skin if you let it in.