Formed in 2007, the first few years of Holy Ghost! (exclamation mark included) saw Brooklyn duo Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser spend their divine existence remixing tracks by artists including Phoenix, Moby and MGMT. Swiftly building up a solid fanbase and a sterling reputation in the industry, the pair have finally moved out from the shadows and released their own material in the form of the small but wonderful Static On The Wire EP.
As the number of DJs using their decks to produce original creations increases, it would be very easy to assume that these guys are going to end up as another name indistinguishable from those currently piled high on the bandwagon. However, it does not take very long to realise that such assumptions would prove unfounded. Rather than stick to the pop/synth/bass/drone (delete as appropriate) formula that many find themselves led by, Holy Ghost! have taken the best elements of the current electro-pop movement and thrown them into a blender with some lusciously retro disco beats to concoct an utterly delightful debut. Impressionable whilst unimposing, the four tracks on this EP would be equally as at home on the dancefloor as they would on the car stereo and with their appeal increasing after each listen, you’ll undoubtedly want them on both soon enough.
The record clocks in at almost thirty minutes despite only showcasing four tracks, yet at no time feels unnecessarily prolonged. Opener and title track 'Static On The Wire' commences with an electro pulsation that slowly layers and builds into a synth-driven pop delight. 'Say My Name' sees a discernible drumbeat provide a sturdy foundation for the cosmic-esque keys and 'I Know I Hear' features elements of eletro-techno that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Daft Punk record. 'Come Back' is undeniably the stand-out track of the EP, as purring synths mixed with brusque electronica beeps and a memorable and repetitive chorus equate to a result that’ll be running round your head for hours afterwards. The vocals featured on all songs here are nice enough; unoffensive and certainly easy on the ears and the breathy tail-ends of some melodies serve to create a smoother finish that many others in the genre are currently lacking. However, the duo’s main focus appears to be on the instrumental elements and with the stellar material they are producing in this area, that’s the way it should stay.
Despite not performing as a live act until a couple of months ago and then swiftly bagging the coveted spot of opening act for electro-dance gurus LCD Soundsystem on their recent tour, it’s obvious that Holy Ghost! have something special in themselves. Static On The Wire may have been a way for the duo to initially showcase their personal talents, but it’s simply served to provide a tantalising taster of a forthcoming album that’s due to be even more delectable.
This review was originally published on www.culturedeluxe.com
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