A Place To Bury Strangers - Missing You

Last year, this very reviewer gave A Place To Bury Strangers debut album 9/10, citing it as one of the albums of the year and a brilliant mish mash of 80s and 90s influences. Shoegaze, industrial, post-punk, no wave, the list goes on. As one of the albums highest points, ‘Missing You’ is frankly an essential purchase.

Opening with what sounds like distorted feedback, a looping melody is faded in, the shimmering reverb effect placed upon it creating a mildly disorientating effect. The verse is led by the harsh, pounding drumbeat, so regimented, dragging the rest of the instruments along with it. Oliver Ackermanns barely decipherable, emotionless vocals murmuring ‘you didn’t have to try, to fall in love’ while the bass rumbles through the verse, as controlled and measured as the vocals. This is before a chorus that could well signal the end of the world blasts through the speakers. The sheer noise created is evidence of their reputation as ‘the worlds loudest band’. It’s sublime.

Reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine at their loudest, APTBS move away from the foggy, clammy sound of shoe gaze, instead aiming for (and achieving) a more mechanical, screeching sound. Its a few decibels away from tinnitus, yet is the main force behind the song and a large part of why it’s so memorable. I could spout more hyperbole on why you need to hear this song but quite honestly, you should have already finished reading this review and bought ‘Missing You’ off Itunes.