CASIMIR

Coming in at just over 2 minutes, ‘Balancing Act’, the lead track from post-rock four-piece Casimir’s forthcoming Not Mathematics EP, is an intriguing taste of what to expect from the promising Bristol quartet. While most post-rock acts take the listener on a lengthy journey from the soft to the crushing and back-again, Casimir don’t muck about, managing to achieve the same effect in this short, captivating burst of noise.

It’s intriguing and perhaps testament to Casimir’s talent that ‘Balancing Act’ ticks a lot of boxes despite its short length. Opening with swathes of chiming looped synths that lay a hypnotic foundation for the track reminiscent of the likes of Explosions In The Sky, Balancing Act then begins to swell as a plucked guitar is laid into the texture, followed by a driving bass line and percussion. Then around the 1 minute 12 mark, the dreamscape builds into a crashing wall of noise just as vocalist Mark Juggins’ raw vocals burst through, taking the track from the melodic into anthemic post-rock territory. After around just 40 seconds of urgent vocals, this crushing noise abruptly falls off into a squall of fuzz; an interesting arrangement which only heightens the sense of intensity and desperation.

Although it’s over far too quickly, it’s a rather clever tactic from Casimir, as it leaves the listener desperate for more. We’ll have to wait until March 4th though, when the Not Mathematics EP is released via Fear of Fiction, though if it’s as superior as this track, it’ll be well worth the wait.

Words by Linsey Teggert

Tip courtesy of Bob Allan & Joe Frankland