Bloody Tourist - “Ceremony”
Bloody Tourist, from the United Kingdom, have come to set us all in a trance with their psychedelically-coated indie rock track, “Ceremony.”
Deep, reflective, and atmospheric, “Ceremony” is a masterpiece that grooves with exquisitely earthy yet futuristic production. Straddling multiple genres from psychedelic rock and downtempo to dark ambient it conjures the immersive, nocturnal soundscapes of DARKSIDE, holding the same experimental yet timeless allure.
Bloody Tourist builds an addictive sense of tension over a hypnotic, steady, and relentless zombie drum beat. Brooding textures shift with a vibe that’s thick yet sophisticatedly uncluttered. From bluesy guitar splashes and jazzy saxophone to potent, glitchy layers, the music is full of surprising shifts that keep you constantly on edge.
Equally fascinating are the soulful, translucent and densely harmonised vocals. While reminiscent of DARKSIDE, feeling as if they are another layer in the mix rather than the focal point, Bloody Tourist’s performance has a certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ that I can only compare to Dan Auerbach crossed with Damon Albarn. All I can say is it’s hard not to get lost in this spellbinding, introspective performance.
On the track, Bloody Tourist add: “Using sampled Motown drums, horns, and a ticking clock, we layered in our own vocal loops, approaching the arrangement much like a DJ would. By resampling the vocals on a Roland SP404 MKii, we created a fresh yet nostalgic atmosphere. We kept the bass line simple and driving to carve out space for Funk Brothers-esque guitar stabs, filling in the gaps with chaotic yet deliberate guitar flourishes and glitches.”
Meticulous, seductive and rife with truly dazzling sounds, “Ceremony” is one of the most innovative and intriguing tracks I have come across this year. We cannot wait to hear more from Bloody Tourist.