Album Review Mazes - Better Ghosts

Mazes are a bunch of smart alecs. Back in 2010, they were the flavour of the month in the bulging lo-fi scene, because they best replicated the radiance of Pavement’s effortlessly cool breezy rock. Earlier this year though, the London three piece reinvented themselves with the clever ‘Ores and Minerals’, packed with intricate guitar loops and monotonous kraut-like drums.

Given the extent of this transformation, eavesdropping into their rehearsal room would be a fascinating proposition. And, as if by magic, Mazes have decided to invite us into their dingy old recording space - well almost - with ‘Better Ghosts’, an experimental collection of recordings that shows just how well they are progressing.

As expected it is an exploratory journey, but unlike many experiments is full of resounding successes. Their real talent is the ability to contort quirky melodies heaving with hypnotic grooves that are impossible not to become lost in, like the confusing things they named after. Hanging out with their friends Parquet Courts has clearly rubbed off too, with tight energy they would be proud of abundant, especially on ‘Hayfever Wristband’.

Jack Cooper perfectly summarises Mazes development during ‘Notes Between From F&E’, as he sings ‘I know all the cool notes, riffs, hooks and the good chords’. Something that his band have shown a certain knack of on ‘Better Ghosts’, spying into this practise session has shown that their future is very bright.