Boonton, New Jersey-based shoegaze newcomers High., decimate expectations with their cacophonous and rigid debut EP, Come Back Down. The four-piece collective of guitarist and lead vocalist Christian Castan, bassist and backing vocalist Bridget Bakie, drummer Jack Miller, and guitarist Danny Zavala flex their creative and musical chops throughout eight tracks- carving out dense, distortion-laden “noise gaze” cuts that impress with the individual flair and personality introduced by each respective member.
High.’s sonic palette begins with a layer of amorphously heavy rhythm guitar, complemented with reverb-drenched lead guitar melodies, accentuating and understated drum beats, and an evocative, clean bassline granitizing the soaring wall of noise. Lead singles and introductory tracks, “In A Hole” and “Catcher,” establish the band’s sound while also reinforcing a focus on dynamics and atmosphere, unfolding organically into colossal and abrasive, ear-candy soundscapes while avoiding conventional structure or cliche crescendos.
The subsequent tracklist plays out in a pleasingly similar fashion, each cut sharing sonic continuity with the rest- yet distinguished by the band’s confident aestheticism and varying compositions. Castan and Zavala’s guitar lines noodle within a fury of distortion, clinging onto repetitive motifs that break into loud, cathartic release; Bakie’s potent bass licks pierce through the thick, shoegaze muck at all the right pressure points to instill a resounding emotional impact; while Miller’s supremely facilitative drum beats control momentum and dynamics through rhythms that evolve from glacial snare-heavy stomps, to smooth gliding hi-hat grooves, into thrilling tom fills and back again, often within the span of one track.
Castan adorns these fruitful instrumental efforts with powerful and emotionally direct lyrics, distinguishing himself with his vaguely poetic and yearningly simple lyrics and aching vocals, mixed deep enough within the sea of noise to produce a submerged, escaping effect. His rarely ventured-upon falsetto breaks under the fervor of his singing, and his voice quivers and erupts on emotional climaxes—the consequence is both profound and provocative, proving Castan to be an indispensable frontman for the tenderfoot noise gazers.
Within Come Back Down, High. Maneuvers through an oversaturated scene of grunge and shoegaze-adjacent rock to create something that is the sum of its parts. The band’s blistering distortion and metallic clamoring often make way for surprising reservation and clarity, evolving within creative climates that allow each player to impose their voice upon the piece. The result is nuanced, intelligent, riotous yet introspective, fertile, and exciting.
Rating: 8.2/10
Favorite Song: “George”
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