If you close your eyes while you’re listening, the debut self-titled EP from Chicago area duo The Burying Kind brings to mind a time and place that feels like equal parts past and present. Their sound feels familiar yet also completely new, drawing inspiration from the slow, washed-out sounds of shoegaze, the dreamy nostalgia trip of 80s darkwave and new wave, and modern-day indie pop. The album starts out with the first single, “Falling Over,” a moody, guitar-driven new wave ballad kept in check by drummer Dan Milligan’s dynamic rhythms.
Continuing onward, the driving beat of “Blur” is complemented by Scott-David Allen’s soulful vocals. Reverb-soaked guitars and synths give it an epic quality, bringing to mind 80s pop bands like Tears For Fears and Simple Minds. “Rise” dials it back a notch, the delicate strumming guitars offsetting front-and-center vocals.
The album is full of contrasting sounds and textures; the staccato tom fills of “Horizons” contrast with the lush synths in the chorus and Allen’s croon. The last track, the anthemic “Dusk,” goes full 80s drums with that signature gated snare (you know the one) that at this point is embedded in the subconscious of every OG goth kid and new waver. It sprawls out slowly, building upon textures of noisy, washed-out guitars and synths. And yes, there is a sax solo, making it a perfect song for cruising down Lake Shore Drive (or your preferred highway of choice) at night. All in all, The Burying Kind creates a mesmerizing sense of timelessness. If you find yourself longing for the past but also wondering about the future, this album is for you.
