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Gulfer

Third Wind

Written by: PP on 13/04/2024 17:41:19

"Third Wind" is the third album from Canadian emo/math rock quartet Gulfer, and the first one where guitarist/vocalist Joseph Therriault has assumed primary songwriting duties. There's a stylistic shift of seismic proportions awaiting older fans as the band moves headfirst into the fuzzy, ambient world of shoegaze and post-rock albeit without fully denouncing their mathy emo origins. Simply put, it's a softer and more mood-laden album than their past work, but also their most atmospheric in the process.

Gone are the throaty, crackling vocals, replaced by soothing indie-flavored ones instead. Opener "Clean" is the prime example of the new Gulfer: it's calm and relaxed, but it is also clear they are aiming for a more expansive soundscape than in the past. It's full of post-rock influence, but also features jangly emo melodies and a chilled-out chorus that is completely different from past material, but not necessarily worse, per se. Just different.

Mathy guitars haven't been dropped entirely. They're just more succinct and less claustrophobic (which, admittedly, was a huge draw to their early material, in particular). "Heartshape" has plenty of them, but "Motive", "Prove" and "Vacant Spirit" likewise show they haven't forgotten their complex fretwork entirely. But rather than being in a driving role of the soundscape, they're now building blocks towards the buzzing, atmospheric overall sonic picture.

It culminates with a trio of crescendoing songs starting from "Drainer". They present a louder and more distorted take on post-rock, to an extent where "Too Slow"'s "too slow, I'm to follow" parts sound like a chaotic Joyce Manor if they chose to draw heavily from emo and ambient patterns. The same applies to "No Brainer" which is just ridiculously catchy. It's fuzzy and melodically buzzing, resulting in a delightful, summery vibe with a richly textured sound that feels addictive.

While most songs are slightly more subdued than this trio, it shows that Gulfer doesn't have to go crazy on their fretboard and scream their throats sore to deliver fantastic songs. If you're looking for slightly more artistry and depth in music, that is what "Third Wind" does so beautifully without leaving its emo and math rock foundations behind.

Download: Too Slow, No Brainer, Drainer
For the fans of: Algernon Cadwallader, TTNG, Ovlov, Joyce Manor
Listen: Facebook

Release date 28.02.2024
Topshelf Records