ULTIMATE PAINTING : Dusk

Dusk, the magic hour, a brief time period which occurs at the darkest stage of twilight, a term and moment very fitting for this band’s painterly eye. Their name sounds more apt than ever as they are expanding their canvas with this third work of art, a truly crepuscular, dreamlike and enigmatic record. Even more subtle than their first two, this one is more layered and discloses more refractions at each listen, sparks of scattered fragments, sprinkling sheer magic in its chords and keys rather elusively at first, constantly oscillating between plenitude and ellipsis, there lies their unique goldsmith touch and chemistry.

A record which sounds more introspective while retaining a distinct Velvet Underground touch, especially the self-titled third album with the (not so) veiled reference “Set Me Free”, marking an evolution musically with less guitars, more piano, a collection of songs which is more mellow and mysterious at the same time, taking the listener full circle via some bittersweet storytelling, they manage to craft some proper melancholic and longing sonic tapestries. Their instrumentation style reminds at times of Serge Gainsbourg circa Melody Nelson, the numbers all appear endowed with something underlying, a kind of silver lining that leaves a haunting imprint, which gets the listener hooked.

The final track “I can’t run anymore” is a striking example of that and  the most momentous tune on Dusk, it escalates and is wrapped in a cinematic halo, gradually slipping into another dimension, thus making the perfect open ending. It plays with your imagination and keeps you coming back for more.

Ultimate Painting has cunning ways to get under your skin, penning timeless songs which sound vastly different from most outings these days, they have remained in a musical poise of their own, which is refreshing and intellectually-stimulating in many ways. An introvert’s delight.




Dusk was released on Trouble In Mind Records on September, 30th.

ULTIMATE PAINTING : Green Lanes

Lou Reed never really died, he keeps inspiring young talents across the world. British band Ultimate Painting, back with a sophomore record, has a mellow vibe that reminds of The Velvet Underground circa Loaded, comforting pristine tunes wrapped in dapper melancholy.

The band’s main asset is combining forces sonically and vocally.  

Jack Cooper and James Hoare are song goldsmiths who wear melody on their sleeves and complement each other perfectly, making an ideal autumnal soundtrack, dopamine infused and mentally soothing. It feels like being in New York City sometime in the fall, feeling cozy indoors whilst looking out the window on a rainy day, a walk on the not so wild side that pulls at your heart strings and gets your purr motor running.

Their guitars are delicious and beguiling and while the song structures seem nearly effortless, they possess that other layer that leaves you longing, something that lays in your comfort zone while injecting a prodigal amount of escapism. In this regard, they remind of their fuzzier NYC cousins Crystal Stilts, combining retro elements in a sound which is still modern enough, instantly enjoyable but also intellectually-stimulating, urban but somewhat pastoral too, a mental picture of the Central Park landmark, that they dedicated a song to on their debut self-titled LP.

“Woken by Noises”, one of the pinnacles on Green Lanes, bears similarities with The Stilts “Future Folklore”, a long lost recollection of VU’s Run Run Run : a more hectic vision of the city while “The Ocean” and “Pay The Price” sound more bucolic. "Break The Chain" has a Beatles touch that gets under your  skin and is also in the vein of the Australian gem The Lovetones’ Meditations.

Let’s hope that these two Brits keep expanding their canvas as they know how to please the listener with their painterly eye. Meanwhile, they may brighten dull days and chilly nights.

Green Lanes was released in August 2015, on Trouble in Mind Records.