‘Even Us Ghosts’, the debut album from indie-rockers Bottlemoth explores a host of themes as Ethan Proctor navigates life in your 20s – from embracing independence to experiencing heartbreak and facing up to mental health issues.
‘You’ll Always Have Us’ opens the record with jangly pop hooks and lyrics from the heart: ‘I’ve been thinking about you’. Reminding us of Local Natives, it finds Ethan Proctor pining how the subject is ‘on my mind, all this time’. ‘Everything Works Out in the End’ is full of hope while ‘Bowling, Beers and Most of Our Friends’ has a nostalgic edge as Ethan looks back on favorite spots in town with a self-deprecating edge. ‘Settle In’ has dual harmonies, strings and plenty of raw emotion – ‘Your mother’s hear, your father’s temperament ‘ – while ‘Tattoo’ is more anthemic in the vein of the Gaslight Anthem.
‘Landslides (People Change)’ continues in this melodic, driving vein, while ‘Deleted Scenes’ finds comfort in community and coming together: ‘All that we are is all that we need’. ‘Numb’ has a conversational tone that builds up before ‘Hold Me Like You Know Me’ closes the record with a blast of orchestral chamber pop that expertly breaks down into a more stripped-back finish.
The light shines bright with Bottlemoth.
