{"id":97198,"date":"2024-10-04T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T08:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?p=97198"},"modified":"2024-10-04T00:21:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T23:21:27","slug":"review-sugar-horse-the-grand-scheme-of-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-sugar-horse-the-grand-scheme-of-things\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Sugar Horse – The Grand Scheme Of Things"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SugarAt this time of year, music fans and critics are beginning to think about their end-of-year lists. And then some bands deliver a record that makes you reconsider your entire list. That’s the position\u00a0Sugar Horse<\/strong> find themselves in with the release of their second album, ‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Recorded in a derelict church in Bristol, its creation came as\u00a0singer Ash Tubb began grieving the passing of his father. As a result, there is a cathartic cloud that soars above this hour-long journey. Never ones to be boxed by genre,\u00a0Sugar Horse<\/strong> embrace post-rock, post-metal, doom, and dream pop with ease to create a compelling, at times stunning, record.<\/p>\n

‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’<\/em> opens proceedings by easing in with soothing synths, pensive guitars, and distant, tribal drums building an airy atmosphere. As Tubb’s grief-drenched words push through the mire, the gradual build delivers a gorgeous and emotional soundscape.\u00a0‘The Shape Of ASMR To Come’<\/em> is equally mournful with cries of\u00a0“Hallelujah”<\/em> yet Martin Savage\u2019s pounding drumming injects it with a monumental feel.<\/p>\n

It quickly comes to fruition that the Bristol quartet have mastered their ability to build suspense through a blend of ethereal and doom-laden soundscapes. One moment you’re getting lost in ‘Corpsing’<\/em>s euphoria, the next being pulled down by\u00a0‘Mulletproof’<\/em>s sharp descent. Whereas the pairing of\u00a0‘Spit Beech’<\/em> and ‘New Dead Elvis’\u00a0<\/em>utilises both quiet and heavy elements with precision. The former pulsates with a hellish fever before the latter sees\u00a0Sugar Horse<\/strong> at their most visceral. Later on,\u00a0‘Office Job Simulator’<\/em> arrives with a cinematic scope yet thrives through its thunderous density. In contrast, ‘Jefferson Aeroplane Over The Sea’<\/em> is considerably the album’s most harmonious offering. Swirling with atmospheric instrumentation, it exemplifies ‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’ <\/em>cathartic nature.<\/p>\n

‘Space Tourist’\u00a0<\/em>brings things to ahead as Tubbs’ character comes to the realisation that he’s on his own. Its first couple minutes are gentle but sharp guitars stick a dagger into its atmospheric tone. As Chris Howarth\u2019s rumbling bass and Jake Heal’s crushing guitars segue into a 20-plus minute sustain shimmering with shifting distortion. It’s a diverse move that borders on hypnotic and wasteful. However, it’s a minor criticism of a potent record.<\/p>\n

While considerably a slight side-step from the somewhat abstract approach we’ve come to expect from Sugar Horse<\/strong>,\u00a0‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’<\/em> mostly benefits from its linear execution, aside from the excessive finale. Both musically and lyrically, it finds a balance between the light and the dark with neither side outstaying its welcome. Although their song titles continue to lean into their underachieving mentality,\u00a0Sugar Horse<\/strong> should no longer feel like to be the “butt of the joke”<\/em> as\u00a0‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’<\/em> deserves plenty of praise.<\/p>\n

‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’ <\/em>by Sugar Horse <\/strong>is out now on\u00a0Pelagic Records<\/strong>.<\/p>\n