Rope let loose on debut ‘Manteision Bodolaeth’ album

Every weekday, DIY’s new music know-it-all Neu brings you one essential new release to get obsessed with. Today’s Neu Pick comes from Rope. South Wales group Rope know how to make a hypnotic first impression. Debut track ‘Ohrwurm’, which we premiered at the beginning of the year, made that much clear. With ‘Manteision Bodolaeth’, their first full release, that sense of mind-bending madness is brought to the fore. Formed from the ashes of Cardiff hardcore mob Goodtime Boys, there’s a looser energy to Rope. Recorded live and often just a hair’s breadth from improvised, it’s driven by instinct. Tracks seem to echo on for an eternity, moulding themselves into captivating new shapes throughout. Calling to mind the cavernous, twisting work of groups like Shellac and Self Defense Family, ‘Manteision Bodolaeth’ nevertheless keeps two feet on the floor throughout, vocalist/guitarist Kai Woolen-Lewis’ throat-shredding takedowns of modern etiquette and societal bleakness ensuring these otherworldly structures retain their foundations in the here-and-now. Below, Kai offers up a track by track explanation of the themes and construction of ‘Manteision Bodolaeth’. It’s released this Friday (March 11th) via Truthseeker Music in the UK and Flood in Belgium - get the first listen of it below, and catch Rope at any of the following dates: APRIL 01 Portsmouth, house show 02 Bristol, The Old England 03 Bridgend, Hobos (release show) 10 Cardiff, The Moon Club (w/ Rolo Tomassi)