Taurus Hate Club - ‘Sharks in the Swimming Pool’
Urbana, Illinois-based singer-songwriter Taurus Hate Club has just released Sharks in the Swimming Pool, an EP that is home to some true gems. Providing a variety of sounds, from ethereal folk to moments of indie rock, everyone is bound to find a new favorite tune.
The EP opens with the title track, “Sharks in the Swimming Pool,” a stripped-back folk song with an ultra-wide reverberating soundscape. Our ears are first met with the lo-fi and intimate sounds of an acoustic guitar, as raw and brittle as the emotion that has been poured into the number. The vocal soon emerges, glimmering with the influence of Phoebe Bridgers and Julia Jacklin, authentically vibrant as it releases the lyrics into the universe. It’s safe to say that we were immediately fans. This first cut gives off the warmth of a one-track/ one-take recording and we marvel at its ability to nestle beneath our skin, even in its sparsely arranged and simple state.
From there, we move onto the third track, “Don’t Know Why.” This one has more of a proper studio vibe to it, though we’d like to emphasize that we equally adore the intimacy of the previous tune. With this one, Taurus Hate Club successfully encapsulates a sound that is very right now, made accessible by the likes of Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, which we can hear deeply resonating in the heart of this song. Swells of strings gradually appear, widening out the sonic space and allowing a glimpse of elegant dynamics. The track remains quite sparse for most of its duration, but we are rewarded with additional layers of vocals as it proceeds, which we often cannot resist.
Finally, the EP closes with “305,” a song that comes dangerously close to the realm of indie rock, beginning with a gentle electric guitar rhythm atop a lo-fi beat. The production lifts with the arrival of the bass and we feel this tune is ready for mainstream radio, alongside the music of boygenius or earlier Maggie Rogers. The chorus is completely massive, with a marvelous syncopation between the drums and fuzzy guitar. This one confidently stands on its own, but one of our favorite aspects about this collection of music is the way that it portrays a delicate sense of evolution.
From the raw, near demo quality of “Sharks in the Swimming Pool,” to the more produced “Don’t Know Why,” and ultimately arriving at “305,” the EP is a true showcase of Taurus Hate Club’s sound. You should promptly spin it in its entirety.
-HD