SPLINT Awaiting Hills

SPLINT

Awaiting Hills

Self-release 

18/04/23

The latest soundscape from Manchester’s post-punk, post-rock, post-whatever darlings is another cracking psych-fuelled, stream of consciousness mood piece. 

Awaiting Hills builds upon the template of Splint’s previous two singles and is in no hurry to deliver it’s charms, instead drawing the listener in with a laid-back and patient approach that slowly ratchets up the tension as the minutes tick by. Anchored by motorik drums and chiming guitars, the melodic bass pattern is countered by a repeating flute riff that adds a feeling of air and weightlessness to the nodding groove before disappearing in the second half of the song. 

There are variations to the theme, but essentially the band strip back as much as possible to reveal a minimalist influence that keeps the essential and discards what is superfluous. There’s a lyric halfway through the song that reflects this approach;  “I don’t need to complicate it - the less the better.” It’s poetic, but also unpretentious. The words are inward looking and personal, yet visual and open. 

The six-minute duration feels half that, which is testament to Splint’s ability to craft music where every second counts and nothing is wasted. It’s lean music that delivers a juxtaposition of feelings, none more so than a sense of laidback urgency. 

Judge for yourself: https://splint3.bandcamp.com/track/awaiting-hills-2

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