Given the incestuous nature of Watford’s rock scene, a band like Gold Key was only a matter of time. With members of such lauded acts as Gallows, SikTh, Spycatcher and Blackhole amongst their ranks, this is certainly an all-star cast of the veritable foundations that UK rock’s underground is built upon. On the basis of new album ‘Hello Phantom’, its one that’s a welcome addition to the roster indeed.

That mainly stems from the fact that this album is such a radical departure from any of its members’ previous works, moving away from punk and metal entirely for gentler indie and prog tones. And it’s a credit to their malleability as musicians that they’re able to pull it off. ‘Sneaker’ combines heavenly swells and gurgling post-punk synths, before the blaring, glammed-up stomp of ‘Creep In Slowly’, while later the jangling, ’90s-inspired Brit rock of ‘Juvenoia’ still feels cohesive.

If anything, ‘Hello Phantom as a whole would feel so much more comfortable in that scene than anything in 2017, given the very pronounced rasp in Steve Sears’ vocals and such a focus on fuzz and distortion that allows these tracks to really swirl. It’s certainly something of an oddity, but it definitely works. Partly because there’s a consistent feeling of scope that’s played extremely tactfully, rather than all of the elements being thrown in all at once, and partly because tracks like ‘Crab Traps’ are simply compelling, well-crafted songs.

Though with the pedigree involved with this project, it’s not like you would’ve expected anything less. Gold Key certainly represent a left turn for all involved, but it’s an interesting one all the same, and one that keeps you on your toes in a way that numerous others refuse to do. For something a bit more spacious and out-of-the-ordinary, but no less compelling, ‘Hello Phantom’ hits it out of the park.

4/5

‘Hello Phantom’ by Gold Key is released on 27th October on Venn Records.

Gold Key links: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp

Words by Luke Nuttall (@nuttall_luke)