Album Review: Swimming – Ecstatics International
I was a big fan of Swimming’s first album ‘The Fireflow Trade’ so when the Nottingham quintet’s new album dropped through my letterbox I was like an excited child on Christmas morning. ‘Ecstatic International’ relies more on electronic effects and drum machines than its predecessor, but the trademark swirling guitars and shimmering synths are still there and that’s the key to Swimming’s music. If ‘Ecstatic International’ were a book it would be a wondrous tale of a journey through magical lands full of giants, goblins and talking animals all there to help you along your way. As an album it is equally fantastical as the guitars, synths and drum machines all pull together to weave beautiful melodies swamped in reverb with a sprinkling of fairy dust and John Samson’s lilting vocals floating over the top. ‘Ecstatic International’ didn’t grab me as immediately as ‘The Fireflow Trade’ but to be fair the initial awe that I felt on hearing the debut was never going to be repeated. That’s not to say this isn’t a good album; there are many highlights, especially the chilled ‘Mining For Diamonds’ and previous single ‘Sun In The Island’ which is one of the most uplifting tracks I’ve heard in a long time. 8/10
Mark Cousens
Out now on Tummy Touch Music
