Review: The Gods Themselves — ‘Glamour & Grime’
Good things often come in small packages, which is precisely the case when it comes to Seattle group The Gods Themselves’ new EP, entitled Glamour & Grime. Roughly 15 minutes in length, each of the four tracks on this release pack a significant punch and beg to be danced to, sweated to, and remembered.
Something that The Gods Themselves pull off excellently throughout this new release is pulling inspiration from a plethora of musical eras, and combine it into something new and refreshing. This is apparent right away on the first song off the EP, “Girl Crush.” Lead vocalist Astra Elane possesses the dreamy, sensual vocals of 70s/80s disco queens such as Donna Summer, and the instrumental holds a funky bassline similar to that of 60s soul. Pull that and a few other components together, and the result is a unique, bombastic explosion of vibrant music.
This trend continues on “Marilyn Monroe,” The Gods Themselves’ most recent single. Equipped with atmospheric guitars, spacey synths, and clever lyrics concerning doing whatever it takes to make it into the spotlight, the quartet brings a sense of risk and danger within their lyrics, vocals, and instrumental.
“Big $,” the third tune off Glamour & Grime, is a frenzied celebration featuring an upbeat drum machine, sliding synths and occasional sound effects that give the song the feeling of an intergalactic adventure. With blatantly straightforward lyrics, “Big $” begs listeners to take everything they’ve got to the dance floor and perspire their worries away.
The EP comes to an end with a significant change of pace with “Mark on Me.” It may possess a slower tempo, but unceasing energy is still present within the soulful, expressive vocalizations of Elane. There’s an ominous, almost haunting aspect to the submissive lyrics and deep, everpresent synth line.
As a whole, Glamour & Grime is best summed up by the contrasting two words that it’s named after. There’s a glitzy, sparkly, incredibly 80s overall sound that can be spotted right away throughout the EP. Looking further into it however, there’s a raunchy, distant, and darkly punk-ish undertone that makes it that much more interesting.
(Check out ‘Glamour & Grime’ below via Bandcamp and get more info about The Gods Themselves HERE.)
“Big $,” the third tune off Glamour & Grime, is a frenzied celebration featuring an upbeat drum machine, sliding synths and occasional sound effects that give the song the feeling of an intergalactic adventure. With blatantly straightforward lyrics, “Big $” begs listeners to take everything they’ve got to the dance floor and perspire their worries away.
The EP comes to an end with a significant change of pace with “Mark on Me.” It may possess a slower tempo, but unceasing energy is still present within the soulful, expressive vocalizations of Elane. There’s an ominous, almost haunting aspect to the submissive lyrics and deep, everpresent synth line.
As a whole, Glamour & Grime is best summed up by the contrasting two words that it’s named after. There’s a glitzy, sparkly, incredibly 80s overall sound that can be spotted right away throughout the EP. Looking further into it however, there’s a raunchy, distant, and darkly punk-ish undertone that makes it that much more interesting.