Sit Back and Let Gdansk Overtake You [stream]

Gdansk – Babel SoundCloud

Hamilton, Ontario’s Gdansk is an indie rock band with a little extra. Each song off their latest release, EP 1, holds fast to a solid rock melody where a larger atmosphere of ambient production lives inside at the core. It’s a refreshing take on a variety of modern genres that expands horizons while maintaining a smooth tangibility. Centered on the songwriting of multi-instrumentalist, Timothy Mann, Gdansk’s EP 1 is a diverse collection of songs that explore different lyrical themes and sonic combinations focused around an alt-rock style much like that of Radiohead, Wilco and Arcade Fire. The production of the opener, “Mariner’s Cross”, aligns the track to the dark and heavy production of modern electropop. Keeping with the haunting essence of the release, “Chests of Men” and “Babel” are all about the slow and purposed layering of guitar and synth around a brooding vocal melody. “Live Away” is the perfect send off with added vocal harmonies in a slow ballad that creeps into a full and triumphant song. Like any good hidden gem, Gdansk will really grow on you if you let it.