DRAHLA Sophomore LP 'angeltape' is Out This Week
angeltape was announced in January on the heels of their singles “Lip Sync” and “Under The Glass”.
By: Stephi Wild Apr. 02, 2024
Leeds-based art-rock experimentalists Drahla are set to release angeltape, their long-awaited second full-length album on Friday, April 5th via Captured Tracks. angeltape was announced in January on the heels of their singles “Lip Sync” and “Under The Glass” (incidentally both songs appear on the album), and is their first full-length release since their critically acclaimed 2019 debut, Useless Coordinates.
Delving into themes of grief and trauma whilst simultaneously celebrating moments of sentimentality and support during difficult times, angeltape shifts between being a challenging, comforting and ultimately rewarding record for both artist and audience.
“Grief In Phantasia” was released as a single in March, and Treble called the song “a driving and abrasive track with dissonant, noisy guitars and an urgent rhythm,” further adding: “it's awesome,” and Under The Radar named it one of their Best Songs Of The Week. The album's frenetic single “Second Rhythm” which Brooklyn Vegan called “a kiss wrapped in a brick” was released in February, accompanied by a menacing video created by the band. Lead single “Default Parody” was released in January and merges off-kilter guitars with erratic sax lines and harmonious yet metallic vocals. The song came with a striking video and upon its release caught the attention of Pitchfork (SELECTS), Consequence, Brooklyn Vegan, Treble, Post-Trash, Fluxblog, and Under The Radar among others.
Recorded with Matthew Benn and Jamie Lockhart in 2023, angeltape is an avant-garde document of the events that unfolded over the five-year gap between records which saw a variety of changes – good and bad – steer their professional and personal lives down unfamiliar territories. Instead of succumbing to adversity, however, angeltape sees Drahla re-emerge sounding creatively rejuvenated with deeply reflective perspectives. Over the last few years, they suffered devastating losses and expanded their sound with guitarist Ewan Barr joining vocalist and guitarist Luciel Brown, bassist Rob Riggs and drummer Mike Ainsley. These recent experiences – collective and individual – culminate in a sound that is considerably darker and tonally more complex and conceptual in its essence.
The addition of Ewan Barr to Drahla's visceral and vital arrangements signaled a significant shift in the band's dynamic, ultimately reshaping the way they approach their angular arrangements. Crucially, it allowed Drahla to dismantle previous limitations and carve out new sonic avenues to experiment with form more than ever before. Brown, in particular, embraced this opportunity to find different ways to inhabit her contemplative lyrics. There was, of course, a readjustment period for the band as they came together to write angeltape in this new iteration which kickstarted a renewed creative approach. “There was an uncertainty and anxiety in not knowing how to rekindle what we had, and what we did have just didn't exist in the same format,” Brown explains. “I feel this is apparent in the music; the constant changes, opposing ideas and structures, the overall energy and drive of the songs. I think there's also the sense of reconnection, encouragement and freedom, too. There's excitement borne from us finding something together again.”
Sonically, the exhilarating interplay of driving bass riffs and charged drum patterns provide a captivating contrast to Brown's melodic spoken delivery. The enveloping atmosphere emanating from the quartet is heightened by searing saxophone accompaniments by long-standing collaborator Chris Duffin, who has featured on all of Drahla's previous output. There's an irresistible and unwavering potency surging throughout this masterful second record, one that stays with you long after you first step into Drahla's enticing world. Furthermore, this exciting new chapter is anchored by the quartet finding a great source of inspiration in the joy of playing music together, as bassist Rob Riggs adds: “When the four of us are in a room, we each bring separate things to the table. Sometimes, a session would start a little bit disjointed but then we find a way where we could all interlock together for a moment in a song and then disperse again.”
Drawing some inspiration from experimental rock band This Heat, Drahla primarily found that their greatest motivation came from listening to and following one another throughout the recording sessions. “I think the process and inspiration for this album has been way more experimental and insular than taking on any external musical references,” says Brown, “This record feels like it was built on a foundation of insular inspiration.” This autonomous practice extends beyond Drahla's music into the visual representation of their intense and immersive instrumentation. It's almost impossible to listen to songs as intricately layered – musically and lyrically– as theirs and not imagine the spaces they exist within. Thus providing an awe-striking multi-sensory experience every time you spend time with a Drahla record.
Drahla will also head out on tour across the EU and UK this May / June, their first since their European dates in 2023. Their reputation as a fervent live act is ever-growing, having toured across the world and shared stages with the likes of Parquet Courts, Ought, Buzzcocks, and several others.
Drahla - Confirmed Tour Dates
05/02 - Wakefield, UK - The Establishment
05/03 - Brighton, UK - The Hope & Ruin
05/04 - Brussels, BE - Les Nuits Botanique
05/07 - Cologne, DE- Bumann & Sohn
05/08 - Mainz, DE - Schon Schön
05/09 - Hamburg, DE - Hafenklang
05/10- Leipzig, DE - Ilses Erika
05/11 - Berlin, DE - Urban Spree
05/13 - Dresden, DE - Blechschloss
05/14 - Krakow, PL - Green ZOO Festival
05/15 - Prague, CZ - Underdogs
05/16 - Vienna, AT - Arena
05/17 - Munich, DE - Kafe Kult
05/18 - Bologna, IT - DEV
05/19 - Montecosaro, IT - Teatro delle Logge
05/21 - Clermont Ferrand, FR - Cooperative de Mai
05/22 - Toulouse, FR - Metronum Music Box
05/23 - Barcelona, ES - Sala Taro
05/24 - Madrid, ES - Sala Specka
05/25 - Porto, PT - Plano B
05/26 - Lisbon, PT - ZDB
05/27 - Vigo, ES - Radar Estudios & Mondo Club
05/30 - San Sebastian, ES - Dabadaba
05/31 - Bordeaux, FR - IBoat
06/03 - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere
06/04 - Lille, FR - L'AERONEF
06/06 - London, UK - Shacklewell Arms
06/07 - Bristol, UK - Dareshack
06/08 - Margate, UK - Where Else?
06/09 - Liverpool, UK - Quarry
06/10 - Manchester, UK - YES
06/12 - Glasgow, UK - The Old Hairdresser's
06/13 - Coventry, UK - The Tin Music and Arts
06/14 - Hebden Bridge, UK - Hebden Bridge
06/15 - Leeds, UK - Belgrave Music Hall
Pre-order/Save HERE + Bandcamp HERE
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