Inside The Ruby Lounge this evening there’s a curious mix of grungy teens, original shoegazers and inquisitive onlookers to drink in The Horrors’ feedback-drenched stage entrance.
Three minutes of noise later, singer Faris Badwin saunters onto the stage: stick-insect-thin but hair and celeb girlfriend tamed, he’s visibly comfortable with his colleagues’ current choice of sound collage. Ditching Birthday Party gristle for MBV glissando, The Horrors have transformed into a sharp bunch of songwriters, finally delivering on the dangerous hype that greeted their breakthrough in the summer of 2006.
Inside the sauna-like venue, only the front rows immediately give up to Badwin’s gangly posturing. ‘Do You Remember’ is a colossal, swerve-driving tune propelled by bowl-haired axe man Joshua’s saw-like guitar, and ‘Who Can Say’ shows Glasvegas how ‘80s indie homage is really done (minus the poncy shades and gimmicky stand-up drummer). Their crowing glory arrives with the epic ‘Sea Within A Sea’, which entwines Krautrock chords within a dank electronic enveloper. Meanwhile, Badwin wins over any remaining sceptics with measured vocal moans and Nick Cave-inspired introspection. Elsewhere, ‘Gloves’ is a haunting goth dirge, ‘I Can’t Control Myself’ a repetitive, caustic journey into Spacemen 3 drones and Sonic Boom laze-rock.
Tucked away in the encore, early gem ‘Sheena Is A Parasite’ cramps things up a notch: a chaotic rock sprawl featuring a sweat-drenched Badwin clawing his way into the arms of the adoring front rows. With electronic influences seeping into the band’s sonic template, signs points towards an exciting, dance floor friendly future.
Energised by a change in label (XL, take a bow) and a broader songwriting outlook, these five odd Southend boys are in fine shape. Great to have you back, you little Horrors.
