Neu Red Psalm

The first twelve seconds of ‘Your Wedding Cake’ by Red Psalm is very similar to The Killer’s ‘Human’. I tell you this now not at all as a criticism of the song but so that you’re not put off when you listen. You probably wouldn’t be, but just in case. And to those who might be put off by the first twelve seconds of a song sounding reminiscent of an intro to a Killers song, I can promise that it gets a lot, lot better very quickly.

Red Psalm is Missouri based musician John Dickson. Although the work of one man alone, it sounds like it should be made by the creative minds of many more. Dark, haunting and brooding, the songs of Dickson are interestingly structured and are packed with plenty of noise – like the best post-punk, but slowed down and excruciatingly put together, piece-by-piece. It draws you in during sparse moments, but is entirely gripping and almost sapping of energy in its periods of more density.

We’ll head back to ‘Your Wedding Cake’. Although fairly heavy and seemingly troubled, it also has a real sense of 80s pop throughout, albeit pop wrapped in oddball clothing. Goth-y synths whistle below guitar reverb and Dickson’s deep and sometimes almost crooning vocals, whilst a drum-machine beats and clicks and a guitar twangs throughout. ‘Colorhouse’ has a similar juxtaposition of light and dark. Possibly what could be termed ‘drone-pop’, vocals once more almost croon in downbeat fashion again while guitar twangs in an almost slow-motion-surf style at times. This unusual and completely unsuited meeting of the downbeat vocals and the sounds of the guitar is quite common in Dickson’s sound, and, as well as being somewhat amusing to imagine in the song-writing stage, gives the tracks a further interesting and enjoyable edge.

You like to imagine the music being recorded in a dark, smoke filled basement but in reality it’s more likely made in Dickson’ bedroom during late nights and on days off ‘real’ work – and there’s something continually endearing about music made in this way. Of similar ilk to other US-based one-man projects such as that of Brooklyn’s Arc Light, you wish that more bedroom-recording teens in the UK would listen to this kind of thing rather than try to boringly replicate, armed with an acoustic guitar, the back catalogue of The Kooks or The Vaccines or whatever the next obscure, alternative bandwagon is that the Music Magazines of Britian try to construct.

It’s difficult to see that happening, though, so for now we just have to hope it continues to get the backing of the likes Vice magazine and, fingers crossed, east London will soon to be delighted to be boarding the Red Psalm ship. Destination: hell. Well, maybe.

Your Wedding Cake by RED PSALM

Light Sleepers by RED PSALM