Live Review: LISTEN: Baths 'Ocean Death'

There’s something uncomfortable about the gritty sounds hollowing out a deep almost chant-like hum within the morbid opening of BATHS’ newest single, ‘Ocean Death’.

The track itself is the title number off Will Wiesenfeld, aka BATHS’ forthcoming EP, which is to be released on the 6^th of May through Anticon.

The sounds within the song seem to grapple between these unimaginably cold tones and with the unusual clicks and clacks that make up the harsh ocean waves. Similar to past releases (particularly from that of his 2013 LP, ‘Obsidian’), there seems to be a recurrent theme of all things relatively morbid, and spine-chilling, but this really only adds to the harsh reality of the tones.

BATHS seem to always find a way of taking it up a notch, because the almost abrupt interlude seems to somehow, comfortably segue into this beautiful tangle of vocals, continuous chants, and a harbouring beat. I can’t even begin to imagine how it would feel to hear this live.

The haunting nature of BATHS music makes all of this emotional exploration seem one hundred percent organic, and even though it may seem uncomfortable at times, it is the process of the creation that kind of brings it all together. To end with one comfortably abrupt conclusion isn’t expected of anyone, but BATHS somehow makes it work.

Words by Caitlin Medcalf

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO:

LISTEN: GROUNDISLAVA ‘SUICIDE MISSION’ FT. BATHS (RYAN HEMSWORTH REMIX)

MP3: BATHS 'EXIT THE MINE'

LISTEN: CHVRCHES ‘GUN’ (GROUNDISLAVA REMIX)